Coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills apologized on Thursday for bringing up 9/11 during a team discussion at training camp in 2019. Without delay, McDermott expressed regret to his players and clarified that his goal was to emphasize the value of teamwork and communication.
Having lost a close friend, McDermott recognized the emotional impact of 9/11 and expressed sorrow for bringing it up in the context of his speech. According to reports, McDermott compared himself and the players to the 9/11 attackers during the speech, asking them about the planning and execution of the attacks and mentioning how the hijackers’ actions matched theirs.
Although a few players who were there at the time attested to the story, others claimed they could not remember the exact reference to 9/11. McDermott made it clear that his goal was to raise awareness of a horrifying incident and how it affected him personally.
McDermott said in response to questions over the decision to mention 9/11 and if it had anything to do with the unity theme: “It was mentioning 9/11 in the context of the team meeting. The goal of the team meeting was the importance of communication and being on the same page as a team.”
After the incident, McDermott quickly met with the squad to clarify his intentions and offer his apologies to anyone who may have misinterpreted. He did this in response to a player’s belief that his message may not have been clear. He emphasized the value of clear communication and reaffirmed his dedication to making sure the team members are all on the same page.
In an unexpected press conference, McDermott announced his intention to speak with the squad once again, expressed his remorse, and apologized for any misunderstanding that may have resulted from the 2019 meeting. He underlined how crucial good team communication is and always will be.
McDermott, who has been the head coach since 2017, just signed contract extensions that will go until 2027, indicating the Bills organization’s sustained faith in his abilities.
