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Bills Star Leaves Historic 4-0 Victory Celebration, Flies Home on Private Jet to See Ailing Mother

Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard inactive for playoff game against Chiefs -  Sportsnet.ca

Orchard Park, NY — September 29, 2025 — The Buffalo Bills extended their perfect start to the season, defeating the New Orleans Saints 31–19 to move to 4–0. The game cemented Buffalo’s place in the history books — just the second time the franchise has opened with four straight wins. But for linebacker Terrel Bernard, the triumph quickly turned into a night of raw, personal heartbreak.

Bernard was everywhere on defense, finishing with 10 tackles and a key third-quarter sack that swung momentum back to Buffalo. His intensity symbolized the spirit of a Bills team hungry for greatness.

Yet after the final whistle, celebration gave way to tears. Bernard learned that his mother had been rushed to the hospital just before kickoff. His family had chosen not to tell him, allowing him to focus on the game.

The news devastated the 24-year-old defender.

“I didn’t know until after the game,” Bernard said, voice breaking. “I played my heart out, but when I heard about my mom, all of this felt different. That performance, those tackles — they’re all for her. I just pray she makes it through.”

The emotion in his words rippled through the locker room, silencing the usual postgame noise. Teammates rallied to Bernard, offering support and prayers. Head coach Sean McDermott praised his young captain’s strength:

“Terrel gave everything tonight. And to know he was carrying that weight without even realizing — it shows the kind of man he is. Football is family, and right now our family’s focus is on him and his mom.”

Recognizing the urgency, team owner Terry Pegula arranged for Bernard to board a private plane immediately after the game to be with his family. While the rest of the team soaked in the glow of their historic start, Bernard slipped away quietly, his absence a sobering reminder that behind every helmet lies a life much bigger than football.

For the Bills, Sunday’s win reinforced their status as early contenders. For Terrel Bernard, it became something else entirely: a night where the fight on the field paled in comparison to the one happening in a hospital room miles away.

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Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”