Lansdale’s Sean McDermott, who started off as a scouting administrative coordinator for The Eagles, rose to the top as the head coach known for turning around the Buffalo Bills, writes Andrew Beaton for The Wall Street Journal.  

Assuming the role of head coach in 2017, no one could have predicted the crisis he would be thrown into this month. One of his players, 24-year-old Damar Hamlin, suffered from cardiac arrest on the field. He was given life-saving CPR and then taken to the hospital by ambulance.   

The in-game collapse made national headlines, with many fans offering their support. 48-year-old McDermott knew what he had to do. After consulting with the players in the locker room, the game was suspended and later canceled.  

“He led. He gave guidance, raw guidance in an emotional time,” said Reid. “And it was accurate. His foundation, his trust in himself, all came about at that time.” 

His colleagues have all expressed admiration for McDermott’s composure and actions in such an unexpected situation. After the incident, McDermott told the referee that they needed more time to decide their next course of action.  

He consulted with the players before calling off the game, but ultimately it was unanimous that the show could not go on.  

“This is the type of situation where you don’t want it to happen, but if it happens, you better have the right guy,” said Jimmye Laycock, McDermott’s college coach.  

Hamlin was discharged from the hospital Jan. 11 and is currently in at home-rehabilitation.  

Read more about the former Lansdale resident and Buffalo Bills football coach in The Wall Street Journal.