The Buffalo Bills started their first week of OTAs on Monday, but most of the team was already in town last week to volunteer on the East Side after the racist attack at Tops. More than 100 Bills players, coaches and staff members handed out food and grieved with the community after such a terrible tragedy.
"We're a part of the community and when the community is affected, we do our best to step up and do our do our part," McDermott said. "I think the slogan of 'Choose Love' is a good one. It's in the Bible, and I think that love has a tendency to fix a lot of problems and challenges out there. I know it was good to be down there.
"I also know that some of the funerals are this week so we're thinking of those family members that are still going through it and will continue to be going through it."
You can purchase your 'Choose Love' shirt by clicking here. All net proceeds will go to the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund and Buffalo Together Community Response Fund.
Player attendance and injury updates
Safety Jordan Poyer is one of the few players who will not be in attendance for Tuesday's OTA practice. McDermott said the two had a chance to catch up at Micah Hyde's charity softball game.
"We certainly miss having him here," McDermott said. "I got a glimpse of him at the softball game the other day and had a chance to have a good conversation with him there. But business is business right now, and we're focused on the guys that are here."
Cornerback Tre'Davious White continues to rehab from last season's ACL injury. McDermott said he's proud of his hard work.
"He's on schedule," McDermott said of White's recovery timeline. "He continues to work hard. I don't really have any updates other than he is on schedule and I've just been very impressed by his work ethic."
In addition to White, McDermott said there are a few more players who are dealing with injuries.
"We got a little bit of some nags here and there, some soft tissue things with some guys," McDermott shared. "Dawson's (Knox) got a little something going on. And Spencer Brown's got a little something going on as well that he had a procedure on. So, it's just going to work itself out. That's what I'm being told for training camp."
While training camp is still close to two months away, McDermott hopes the team can accomplish several things during OTAs.
"We want to get healthier than where we are right now, as I mentioned earlier some players going through a couple of things," McDermott said. "I think the chemistry is big. Chemistry, just getting to know one another, building that trust that needs to be there because there are new pieces to it as well like the coach-player relationship amongst the new pieces we have in the coaching staff."
McDermott also wants the new players to use OTAs as a time to get comfortable with the offense, defense and special teams systems before training camp in July.
