The Bills’ harrowing week was even worse than most realized.
In addition to the cardiac arrest of safety Damar Hamlin, the franchise has announced that radio broadcaster John Murphy is recovering from a stroke.
“John Murphy suffered a stroke last weekend,” the Bills tweeted. “He is recovering at home with his family and making progress every day. John and the Murphy family are grateful for the excellent care by the staff and doctors at Buffalo General Medical Center. We appreciate everyone’s support.”
Murphy’s stroke happened prior to Monday night’s game. A Bills spokesperson told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle at the time that Murphy was feeling “under the weather” and that buffalobills.com writer and “One Bills Live” host Chris Brown would be calling play-by-play, alongside color commentator Eric Wood.
The 67-year-old Murphy has called Bills games for WGR since 2004; he was also the color analyst on the games from 1984-89 and 1994-2003.
Hamlin, a 24-year-old safety for the Bills, collapsed on the field on Monday after what had initially seemed like a routine tackle of Bengals wideout Tee Higgins. He was administered CPR and transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center by ambulance.
Hamlin has had a remarkable recovery throughout the week. On Thursday, it was announced that he awoke. His first communication, in writing, was to ask if the Bills had won. The doctors told him he had won the game of life.
Friday, the Bills announced that Hamlin’s breathing tube was removed. He participated in a FaceTime call with his teammates and told them that he loved them.