Jordan Poyer has a chance to say goodbye at Micah Hyde's charity softball game (2024)

Jordan Poyer got the opportunity for a proper goodbye Sunday.

The former Buffalo Bills safety, who is now a member of the rival Miami Dolphins, was in attendance at Sahlen Field for Micah Hyde’s annual charity softball tournament.

Of course, that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise.

Over the past seven seasons, Hyde and Poyer became the best safety tandem in franchise history. Although neither of them are currently on the active roster, they will be forever linked for their contributions to the franchise.

“It was really surreal. I didn’t know what to expect coming out here today, but Bills Mafia showed out as always,” Poyer said. “It was just really cool to see the support from the fans out here. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later, so it was just fun to come out here and support Micah.”

Poyer signed a one-year contract with Miami in March, officially ending his Bills career. During his time in Buffalo, he became a first-team All-Pro. Although there was plenty of speculation during the 2023 season that could be the last in Buffalo for Poyer and Hyde, there was some uncertainty about their playing future. Because of that, neither of them had an opportunity to acknowledge the fans in any significant way.

“Everything just kind of happened so fast, (I) didn’t really get to have a proper sendoff or proper goodbye,” Poyer said.

That opportunity came during the home run derby that preceded Sunday’s game, as Hyde took the microphone to introduce Poyer.

“I didn’t know how it was going to go down. I didn’t know if I was going to get booed or if I was going to get cheered for,” Poyer said.

The crowd of 14,771 overwhelmingly cheered Poyer’s return.

“I’m just really connected with Micah, obviously over the past seven years, and I support him in any way that I can,” Poyer said. “I just thought it would be really cool to come out here and just kind of say my farewells, in a sense, and see the guys again. I miss all the guys like crazy. I’m happy now. I was happy, but I’m happy in South Florida. New experience for me, just new guys, and we get to see Buffalo twice a year, so I’m just happy for that.

“It was really kind of surreal pulling up again, hearing the support from the crowd. ... I love these fans. I love this community. It’s made a huge impact on my life and my family’s lives over the last seven years, so it was just super-cool to be out here.”

Poyer told Hyde a few days ago that he’d be able to attend.

“It means everything,” Hyde said. “I’ve always tried to keep it to current players, you know current guys on the team. I’m not even on the team right now, so we made an exception for ‘Po’ also to come down and swing the bat a little bit. It means the world, man. … On the football field, it wasn’t just [No.] 23 out there – [No.] 21 played a huge part in how I was performing. For him to be here and be committed to the off-the-field stuff, the foundation stuff, like I am with his, means the world, man. That’s my brother for life.”

A total of 37 Bills – 35 members of the current roster, plus Hyde and Poyer – were greeted to a glorious day at Sahlen Field. Hyde said more than $625,000 was raised for his Imagine for Youth Foundation, which was started in 2015 to help financially disadvantaged kids thrive academically and athletically by providing them with necessary supplies, resources and equipment.

Hyde said that part of the funds raised would benefit some of the other players’ foundations, and during the game he made a presentation of $10,000 each to Poyer, left tackle Dion Dawkins, defensive tackle Eli Ankou, defensive end Kingsley Jonathan and safety Damar Hamlin to support their respective charitable endeavors.

“It’s every year. Every year I’m speechless coming here,” Hyde said. “It’s a beautiful day, which is awesome, but they showed up in a delay – last year it got delayed and it was raining, but these fans are amazing. That’s why any opportunity I get to shout them out or say how much we love them, I’m going to do it, because they’ve taken this game to the next level. They’ve taken, honestly, the foundation to the next level with the recognition that they’ve been able to show up and sell this thing out. It means the world to myself, my family and the foundation.”

After he took part in the home run derby, Poyer took the microphone and addressed the crowd, thanking them for helping his grow as a person, player and teammate during his time in Buffalo.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t get it done, but you’ve got the best quarterback in the league,” Poyer said.

Speaking of Josh Allen, he’s back on top. The Bills’ star quarterback took back his trophy for the home run derby, belting 11 dingers in the final round to beat out defensive end A.J. Epenesa and wide receiver Mack Hollins – who competed the entire day barefoot.

Allen was defeated in last year’s home run derby by Spencer Brown, but the Bills right tackle did not compete this year due to an injury.

“I want Spencer next year, baby,” Allen said while holding the winner’s trophy.

As for the actual game, Allen and backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky each homered twice as the offense squeezed out a 10-9 victory. Epenesa, who hit bombs all afternoon long during both the home run derby and actual game, came up to the plate in the bottom of the final inning with two outs and a runner on first base with a chance for a walk-off win, but instead popped out to second base, where center Connor McGovern made the catch for the win.

After the game, as Hyde thanked the crowd, Allen took the microphone and started a “one-more year” chant, trying to convince the veteran safety that he should return for another season.