Bills DB Christian Benford striving to do ‘the Lord’s work’

The sports world took a collective sigh of relief on Sunday, as reports surfaced that Detroit Lions defensive back Morice Norris was back at the team’s training facility following a scary injury in Friday’s NFL preseason opener.

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On the first play of the fourth quarter against the Falcons in Atlanta, Norris dove at the legs of Falcons running back Nathan Carter to try to make a tackle. Carter’s thigh slammed into Norris’ head, snapping it violently backward. Norris appeared to have a seizure and then lay motionless on the field for nearly 20 minutes while medical personnel attended to him.

Eventually, an ambulance arrived to transport Norris to a nearby hospital. Norris was in stable condition late Friday night, and on Saturday morning he shared a message on his Instagram story to reassure concerned fans. He was then released later that day.

“Amen Amen,” he wrote on Saturday, “I’m all good man don’t stress it appreciate all the check ins and love.”

An update on IG from Lions DB Morice Norris: pic.twitter.com/hudxKYnzXC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2025

Norris’ message was written atop a short devotional about having gratitude to God in all circumstances, which included the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 5:18. “No matter what you are going through,” the devotional read in part, “there is always something to thank God for, and when you do, you will feel His peace.”

Norris has been sharing a number of devotionals on his Instagram stories, both before and after his injury. They are from an organization called “Living Christian,” which according to its website provides resources and products to a community of believers.

On Friday morning, before the injury, the devotional Norris shared was titled, “Trust Jesus With What’s Ahead,” and included the Bible verse Proverbs 3:5. It was especially appropriate for what Norris would face later that night.

“He already knows what is coming, and nothing will surprise Him,” it read in part. “When we let go of our worries and place our confidence in Him, we can walk forward with peace instead of fear.”

Lions CB Morice Norris’ Instagram story earlier this morning

Praying for an easy recovery tonight 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mAzlXeTf2O

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) August 9, 2025

Then on Sunday afternoon, Norris praised God in a post on X: “God is amazing, never forget to give him praise.”

God is amazing never forget to give him praise🩵

— Morice Norris Jr (@Morice4_norris) August 10, 2025

Both Lions and Falcons players were visibly shaken by Norris’ injury on the field Friday. Many players, coaches and support staff were praying on the sidelines during the ordeal, and once the ambulance transporting Norris had departed and both teams returned to the field, the Falcons snapped the ball but didn’t run a play. Instead, they gathered together with Lions players at midfield, formed a circle, joined hands and prayed for Norris while the clock ticked down.

Life is bigger than football.

Horrifying scene during the Falcons vs Lions game as Morice Norris was stretchered off following a serious head injury and rushed to the hospital.

Have never seen this before, but in a beautiful showing of solidarity, both teams gathered in prayer… pic.twitter.com/TWXmeLVAME

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 9, 2025

Lions coach Dan Campbell and Falcons coach Raheem Morris met with game officials, and with 6:19 remaining, the game was suspended and would not resume. The Lions — who were leading 17-10 at the time of Norris’ injury — were officially credited with the exhibition win.

What on Friday was an outpouring of concern for Norris and prayers for healing became by Sunday a tidal wave of gratitude and praise to God for His goodness. Fans, coaches and players alike praised God and thanked Him that Norris was able to rejoin his teammates so quickly.

On Monday, Campbell confirmed that Norris was back with the team but is in the concussion protocol, and will be monitored over the next 10-14 days. The 24-year-old from Fresno, California, was a standout at Fresno State from 2021-2023 but went undrafted in 2024. He later signed with the Lions as a free agent and appeared in two regular-season games and one postseason game last year.

The Lions, who participated in this year’s Hall of Fame Game, are scheduled to play their third preseason game at home against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.

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