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

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.