It was back in January of 2023 that Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was involved in one of the most scariest situtations that we have seen on a football field.
Taking on the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on the road, Hamlin put a hit on wide receiver Tee Higgins. Afte initially getting up, he collapsed on to the turf inside Paycor Stadium.
It was a frightning scene as Hamlin went unconscious. Hamlin ultimately needed to be resuscitated on the field by medical personal before being transported to the hospital. He was in medically induced coma for two days before being awakened.
Doctors diagnosed the cause of Hamlin’s heart stopping as a result of commotio cordis. It happens when a direct blow at a specific part of the body causes cardiac arrest.
The most shocking aspect of this story is the fact that Hamlin was able to take part in training camp last summer. He made his long-awaited return to the field Week 1 of the regular season.
Hamlin is now opening up about how he’s doing roughly 20 months after nearly dying on the football field. He seems to be in a good spot.
Damar Hamlin Opens Up About Scary Situation And Return To Normalcy
“My mind is free. My spirit is free. My soul is free,” Hamlin told The Associated Press. “I’m able to think clearly. I’m not hindered by second thoughts of what could maybe happen again.”
Concern over a repeat of the very same incident had to be on the mind of Hamlin as he made his return to practice a year ago this month. But now that he’s so far removed from a life-altering event, things have seemingly changed.
“Time heals all. That’s everything, you know, relationships, life, growth from cardiac arrest,” Hamlin said. “It’s trauma. It’s time that heals all if you allow it to.”
Since that fateful day in Pittsburgh, Hamlin has done what he can to help others who have suffered through similar situations.
It was back in March of 2023 that Hamlin took to Capitol Hill. It was to introduce the Access to AEDs Act, which has since passed.
Said act increases the training and availability of AEDs (automated external defibrillator) on school campuses.
A sixth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills out of Pittsburgh back in 2021, Hamlin is entering his fourth season with the team. He seems to be a standout in training camp right now. It realy is a feel-good story at a time when we all probably need one.
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