The nation held its breath when Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on January 2, 2023. The sports world was united in hoping for a positive outcome for the Buffalo Bills safety. Remarkably, not only did Hamlin survive the life-threatening incident, but he also managed to play in five games the following NFL season.
Fast forward two seasons, and Hamlin is now preparing to start in Week 1 with newfound confidence and joy. Coaches observed during offseason workouts and training camp that Hamlin seemed to be playing more freely, showing less tension and apprehension even after his terrifying ordeal.
“It’s to be expected,” commented Bills head coach Sean McDermott. “An increased focus from a year ago, increased urgency, and really just getting back to what he was…It’s fun watching him have fun out here. I think he’s been able to do that, and you can tell he means business.”
The Bills underwent an offseason transformation that saw key players like Stefon Diggs, Mitch Morse, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde depart. Despite the changes, Hamlin remains grateful to his former teammates, especially Diggs, for helping him regain the confidence to return to football. He plans to thank Diggs by sending him a new chain as a token of appreciation.
“I appreciate him. He’s a big part of getting myself back into this journey I’m on,” Hamlin expressed. “He helped me shape my life. Just watching him be himself, I was able to, like, get my hunger back. I’ll forever, like, love him differently.”
General manager Brandon Beane also praised Hamlin’s determination, noting, “His focus was like, ‘I want to go win a job. I want to prove that I can start and help and make plays.’ That’s been his focus: ‘Micah and Jordan are gone. There are new faces around, and don’t forget about me. I can still do it.’”
As the Bills gear up to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, all eyes will be on Damar Hamlin as he continues his remarkable journey back onto the football field with strength and resilience.
