Buffalo, NY — November 5, 2025
The Buffalo Bills’ young defender isn’t just breaking up passes — he’s carrying the courage of a man who once fought for his country.
After missing the early weeks of the season with a shoulder injury, the rookie cornerback has quietly worked his way back into Buffalo’s rotation, showing patience, toughness, and a relentless drive that’s earning admiration from coaches and teammates alike.
Dorian Strong, the Bills’ sixth-round pick (No. 177 overall) out of Virginia Tech, has recorded 10 total tackles (9 solo, 1 assist) and 1 pass deflection this season. His steady improvement on the field mirrors the resilience that defines his life off it.
“When I was nine, my mom struggled to make ends meet while my dad was overseas in Afghanistan,” Strong shared. “He lost part of his leg in combat but came home and never once complained. He taught me that real toughness isn’t about hitting — it’s about getting back up when life knocks you down.”
Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said that mindset shows in every drill. “You can feel it — he practices with heart. There’s no ego, just effort. That’s the kind of player who earns respect fast,”
Babich noted.
Strong’s coverage instincts and physical playstyle have already made an impression in Buffalo’s secondary. Head coach Sean McDermott praised his discipline, saying, “He’s a competitor. He’s been through a lot, and that’s what gives him his edge. Guys like that make our locker room better.”
Still developing his consistency, Strong admits the NFL transition hasn’t been easy. But every time he lines up across from a receiver, he remembers where his strength comes from — his father’s resilience.
“Every snap, I think about him,” Strong said. “If he can fight through pain to walk again, I can fight through anything on this field.”
Now healthy and back in rhythm, Strong is poised to keep growing — not just as a player, but as a symbol of quiet determination in Buffalo’s defense.
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After overcoming injury, the Bills rookie pays heartfelt tribute to his father — a wounded Afghanistan veteran who taught him that true strength is found in perseverance.
