Buffalo Bills Coach On Damar Hamlin's 'Remarkable' Return To NFL

On January 2, 2023, 24-year-old NFL player Damar Hamlin collapsed in the middle of the field during the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin was down on the field for several minutes as medical personnel rushed onto the area and gave him CPR for 9 minutes as his heart stopped. After reviving him, Hamlin was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Hamlin was then treated at the hospital, and triumphantly made a full recovery, even being cleared by medical personnel a few months ago to return to football.

The NFL player himself then announced he would return to the sport, saying, “This event was life-changing, but it’s not the end of my story. I’m here to announce that I plan on returning to the NFL."

The Buffalo Bills safety officially played his first game since the scary incident earlier this year, gaining the respect from fans and fellow players everywhere.

Damar Hamlin returned Saturday for his first NFL game since suffering cardiac arrest earlier this year. The Bills safety recorded three solo tackles in the pre-season game and helped the Bills earn a 23-19 victory against the Indianapolis Colts.

"When you step in between them lines, you're putting yourself at risk by hesitating and by reserving yourself," Hamlin told reporters after the game, per CBS Sports. "I made the choice that I wanted to play. It wasn't nobody else's choice but mine. So making that choice, I know what comes with it."

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott also spoke out after Damar Hamlin made his return to the NFL during the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, saying "What we just witnessed to me is remarkable".

He continued, "Truly remarkable display of courage, strength, and faith".

When Hamlin ran out onto the field with the rest of the Bills team yesterday, the crowd went wild, showing their support through applause and a standing ovation.

Other NFL stars, including former quarterback Robert Griffin III, spoke out, saying "Damar Hamlin back on the field.

YOU LOVE TO SEE IT".

Before his hospital release, Hamlin took to Instagram to thank his fans for their endless love, support, and, most importantly, their prayers.

“When you put real love into the world, it returns to you 3x as much. 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾,” Hamlin wrote. “The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for everyone who prayed for me and reached out. We brought the world back together behind this. If you know me, you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road, keep praying for me! 🫶🏾❤️3️⃣ #3strong.”

Fans have donated to a GoFundMe fundraiser created by the Bills Safety in 2020 — The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive — shortly after Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the NFL field.

NFL players such as Andy Dalton, Sauce Gardner, Davante Adams, Mike Evans, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Devin, and Jason McCourty have donated at least $1,000 to the fundraiser.