Sean McDermott claims report he used the 9/11 attacks as an example of teamwork in 2019 meeting was a ‘hurtful attack on my character’ – with Bills head coach ‘NOT expected to lose his job’ over shocking reference

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has hit back at a report that he used the September 11 attacks as an example of teamwork in a 2019 speech.

In a ta meeting, recorded Tyler Dunne's 'Go Long' website, McDermott reportedly used the attacks on the Twin Towers to demonstrate “the importance of communication and being on the same page with the team.”

McDermott acknowledged he is not perfect, but described the 24 hours since the report's release as “disappointing” and “hurtful.”

“To me it was clearly an attack on my character, and that to me is just as important – if not more so – than wins and losses,” he said of the report. 'Winning and losing are important.

'What is important to me from day one is how you treat yourself. It doesn't mean I've been perfect. That doesn't mean I haven't been without flaws. But what is most important for me, my family and my children is that I approach this work in the right way.'

Sean McDermott claimed a report that he used 9/11 in a speech was an attack on his character

During a 2019 team meeting, McDermott reportedly used the attacks to demonstrate teamwork

The head coach said he used the attacks on the Twin Towers to show the importance of communication and being on the same page with the team'

He added: “I know who I am. 'I know how I try to do things. Am I without defects? No, I am not without flaws and I say that humbly. I believe we're trying to do things here.

'It doesn't mean everything we do is right, people will have their own opinions. I believe we've won a lot of games here since we've been here, and I'm confident in that. I have confidence in this football team. People will have their opinions, I have no control over that.'

He added that he spoke again with his players about the comments on Thursday evening, especially with team members who had not been with the Bills in 2019.

Despite the shocking reference, McDermott's job is not thought to be in jeopardy Pro football talk.

“McDermott's morning speech started innocently enough,” Dunne wrote. “He told the whole team to get together. But sources say he used a strange model: the terrorists on September 11, 2001.

'He called the hijackers a group of people who were all on the same page and could orchestrate attacks to perfection. One by one, McDermott began asking specific players in the room questions. “What tactics do you think they used together?” A young player tried to answer methodically. “What do you think was their biggest obstacle?” One veteran responded, “TSA,” which mercifully lightened the mood.”

McDermott, who was described as a “robot” in the piece by an unnamed source, acknowledged the veracity of the story on Thursday.

“My intention at the meeting that day was to discuss the importance of communication and being on the same page with the team,” he said.

The Bills are 6-6 heading into a crucial Week 14 matchup against the Chiefs on Sunday

“I regretted mentioning 9/11 in my message that day and immediately apologized to the team.

“Not only was 9/11 a horrific event in our country's history, but also a day when I lost a close family friend.”

When discussing McDermott's questionable choice of words in 2019, another unnamed player told Dunne that the coach's “social skills are lacking.”

“That's one where he might have heard it on a podcast. Next episode! That's not the one to lead with,” the player said. “He tried to bring the team together. It was a horrible, horrible reference. He's missed the point.'

McDermott has been the Bills coach since 2017, leading the team to five postseason berths in six seasons and a 68-41 record to date.

However, the reigning AFC East champions are in danger of missing the playoffs this year with a 6-6 record heading into Week 14.