Patriots at Bills: Damar Hamlin Question a 'Competitive' Inspiration to QB Mac Jones

“Honestly, that’s pretty wild,'' Patriots QB Mac Jones said of the Bills' Damar Hamlin and his 'first question.' "You can tell that he’s a competitor, right?''

The New England Patriots on Sunday will be competing against the Buffalo Bills ...

And in a sense, competing with the Buffalo Bills as well, all as a result, of course, of Bills safety Damar Hamlin's horrible injury sustained on live TV on "Monday Night Football.''

Hamlin remains in critical condition but is showing encouraging signs ... including his "first words'' upon waking up ...

"Who won the game?''

The Patriots and the NFL are moved by all of this, as expressed by New England QB Mac Jones.

“Honestly, that’s pretty wild,'' Jones said. "You can tell that he’s a competitor, right? And that’s the first thing he’s asking and all that. I think that’s who we are as people. We love the game of football.''

It so happens that after writing his question (Hamlin still has the breathing tube in his throat as he fights back from his on-field cardiac arrest), doctors responded by saying, “You did, Damar. You won the game of life.

That exchange is being found to be inspirational as well. Hamlin and his recovery are on the minds of both teams here ... even as the Bills are prepping for the playoffs and the Patriots, with a win at Buffalo in this 1 p.m. ET start at Highmark Stadium, can join them.

Said New England coach Bill Belichick: "Life is bigger than this game.''

Jones, who plays the game at a level so passionate that he is taking harsh criticism for it, funneled that passion smartly on the media podium this week.

Hamlin, Jones said, must be “just a great guy, and you can see all the support around the world ... I think every update that we get in the locker room, everyone’s super excited to hear that each time he’s doing better. We’re all super excited.''

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