Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott faced criticism and controversy after reports emerged that he referenced the 9/11 terrorist attacks as an example of teamwork in a speech to his players four years ago. In an unscheduled news conference, McDermott addressed the issue, expressing regret for mentioning 9/11 and acknowledging the somber nature of the event.
During the reported team meeting, McDermott cited the 9/11 hijackers as a group that was “on the same page” to orchestrate attacks effectively, using it as a strange model to emphasize the importance of unity. The remarks were revealed in longform articles by journalist Tyler Dunne, who spoke to 25 unnamed sources within the Bills organization.
While McDermott did not dispute the account, he explained that his intent was to stress the significance of communication and unity within the team. McDermott stated that he first learned about the report from the team’s vice president of communication and felt the need to address the matter immediately.
The coach acknowledged that the use of 9/11 as an example was inappropriate and offered an apology to the team. He mentioned that one player felt the point had not been made clearly, prompting him to address the team again later. McDermott emphasized the importance of communication, stating that the intent of his message was to highlight the need for everyone to be on the same page as a team.
McDermott expressed regret for not effectively communicating his point during the meeting and announced plans to address the team again to ensure clarity. He reiterated that the 9/11 attacks were a horrific event in the country’s history and mentioned losing a family friend on that day.
On the football front, the Bills are currently 6-6 in the season, facing challenges in the AFC East. McDermott, who has been with the team since 2017, has overseen the Bills’ transformation into perennial contenders but faces scrutiny this season due to their struggles and questions about his job security.
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