Bills Veteran Delivers Harsh Warning to Keon Coleman After Benching
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman had the support of teammates after his up-and-down rookie season, but now it appears he’s getting a dose of tough love instead.
Coleman was benched for Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he reportedly missed a team meeting on Friday — the third time in a year and a half that he faced discipline for missing team obligations.
After the game, one of the team’s longest-tenured players delivered a harsh warning to Coleman about his future with the team.
Dion Dawkins Warns Receiver
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s 44-32 win, left tackle Dion Dawkins said he already had a talk with Coleman about taking his obligations more seriously.
“I’ve already spoken to him,” Dawkins said. “When I spoke to Keon before, I said, ‘Bro, look, don’t even worry about it. Everybody goes through a different journey. Let’s just say that this is the last time, and let’s just move forward.’ And he said, ‘I’m with you.’ That’s all we need.”
While Dawkins stressed that he was still supportive of Coleman, he issued a warning that the second-year receiver needed to “grow up.”
“Nobody’s perfect, but in this league we need guys to come on. And Keon knows now he’s in the hot seat, and he needs to come on and show up for us,” Dawkins said. “Pats on the back are over with and it’s time for him to grow up and he knows it. As an older player on the team, we’ve got to hold everybody accountable. And we shoot straight. We don’t sugarcoat it.”
Keon Coleman Was Already in the Crosshairs
Coleman already faced pressure coming into this season, with head coach Sean McDermott saying this summer that his rookie season was “rocky.” Coleman showed flashes of strong play but also missed a long stretch due to injury, then struggled to bring the same production once he returned.
“I thought he got off to a start that he built momentum through, and then he got injured, and then from there on, it was rather rocky,” McDermott said.
“We’re looking for him to learn from those moments of adversity, and come back and have a really, really, really strong offseason and get himself going into the start of season two,” the Bills head coach added. “And that takes a certain type of person with a certain drive and determination and fire in their heart, and it’s going to be Keon’s turn to show that he has that this offseason.”
Dawkins had been supportive of Coleman in the summer, talking up the receiver and predicting he was headed for a big season.
But the receiver continued to struggle with his play, leading to questions about his effort. McDermott again criticized Coleman after last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, saying he was not satisfied with his play.
“He knows if I’m not satisfied. It’s fair that you’re asking about,” McDermott said, via SI.com. “I can promise you it gets addressed when it isn’t (satisfactory) or where it needs to be. It’s been addressed … at times it’s been good and other times it can improve.”
49ers Legend Diagnosed With Dementia at 61 – Can’t Speak, But Still Remembers Playing for San Francisco
San Francisco, CA – The NFL community is in mourning after hearing the devastating news that one of the greatest defensive players in San Francisco 49ers history, Charles Haley, has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 61. The once-ferocious pass rusher, known for his dominance on the field, is now facing an all-too-familiar challenge for many former players: the devastating impact of head trauma.
Haley, who became the first player in NFL history to win five Super Bowl rings, now finds himself in a battle against Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), a disease that has robbed him of much of his memory and cognitive abilities. According to his wife, Haley has been unable to speak for some time and can only remember fragments of his past — including his daughter's name and the fact that he once played football. His wife shared a heart-wrenching update: “He can’t speak anymore. He only remembers our daughter’s name and that he once played football. He doesn’t even know my name. Doctors say it’s Frontotemporal Dementia, I believe constant head trauma from CTA caused it. This game broke his body… and now, it’s taking his mind.”
The tragic reality of Haley’s diagnosis highlights the deep, lingering effects of the head trauma that so many NFL players endure during their careers. Known for his relentless style of play, Haley’s contributions to the game were not only about his talent but also his willingness to sacrifice his body for his team. A key figure in the 49ers' golden era, Haley was a central part of their defense during their championship years. His legacy includes 100.5 sacks, five Pro Bowl selections, and the distinction of being the only player to win five Super Bowls — an accomplishment that solidified his place in NFL history.
However, the toll of over a decade of high-impact collisions has come at a high price. Though his dominance on the field will never be forgotten, the harsh reality of his condition serves as a poignant reminder of the risks that players face in the game. The physical demands of football often extend far beyond the playing field, and the long-term effects of brain injuries are a sad truth that has become all too common.
As Haley battles this cruel disease, he has moved into a full-time care facility, where he can receive the constant medical attention that his condition requires. While his memories fade, his contributions to the 49ers and the NFL will never be erased. Fans across the league, especially the loyal 49ers Faithful, have poured in messages of support for Haley and his family during this trying time.
From his days as a dynamic force on the field to his Hall of Fame induction, Charles Haley personified what it meant to be a fierce competitor. His fighting spirit helped lead his teams to victory on the grandest stages of football. Now, fans and former teammates are hoping that the same resilience that carried him to five Super Bowl rings will help him face this difficult battle.
In the face of a devastating diagnosis, Haley’s legacy remains intact — a testament to a life spent pushing the limits of what it means to be a champion. Today, as he fights one of his toughest battles yet, the NFL community stands united, praying for the strength of the man who once made his mark as one of the most feared and respected defensive players in the history of the game.
