Photo:Joshua Bessex/AP/Shutterstock
Joshua Bessex/AP/Shutterstock
Damar Hamlinis back on the field!
The 25-year-old Buffalo Bills player showed he was ready for action on Saturday, playing in his first NFL game since undergoingcardiac arrestduring a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.
The safety stepped in for the team’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts in his hometown, where he made three solo tackles in the first half of the game, including a fourth down tackle at the Bills' 40-yard line, according toReuters.
He went on to make two more tackles on two consecutive plays during the Bills’ defense before he was taken out of the game, per the outlet.
Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills on the field before a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.Timothy T Ludwig/Getty
Timothy T Ludwig/Getty
The Buffalo Bills ultimatelybeat the Colts23-19.
“Welcome back, @HamlinIsland ,” the NFL wrote.
Hamlin eventually recovered from critical condition,leaving the hospital nine days later andemotionally returning to stand on the sidelines with his Buffalo teammates during the NFL playoffs.
In April, the Bills announced doctors had"fully cleared" Hamlin to playfootball again. Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said at apress conferencefollowing the news that Hamlin was “in a great headspace to come back and make his return.”
The safety alsonoted on Twitterthat same month that he had made “so much progress” since his health scare.
His on-field incident in January catapulted the player to the spotlight, leading him to become one of the most influential figures when it comes to health in sports.
Frazer Harrison/Getty
Hamlin gave a speech at theNFL Honors awardsin February, telling the audience he has a newfound “purpose greater than any game in this world” to raise awareness about heart health.
He also met withPresident Joe Bidenat the White House in March and later appeared in front of Congress to speak in support of the Access to AEDs Act, which aims to help place more defibrillators in schools.
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“I feel like this whole situation, everything that happened to me, was all apart of a bigger plan and a bigger picture,” he shared in an interview with the American Heart Association.
“God [has] seen that my purpose is bigger than just football. Way bigger than just football,” Hamlin added. “I always knew that. I’ve always felt like I was more than just an athlete and a football player and he gave me a purpose and something to stand for that’s way bigger than just a game.”
source: people.com
