Damar Hamlin Relives Life Threatening Injury Amid Damien Health Scare

Damar Hamlin found himself reliving a painful chapter of his journey as he witnessed teammate Damien Harris exit on a stretcher. The echoes of his injury still fresh, the Buffalo Bills safety knows all too well the dangers of playing football, and he could not help but think back to his own experience.

The running back's neck injury, suffered late in the first half of the Week 6 clash against the New York Giants, cast a somber shadow over MetLife Stadium. Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game in January, was visibly emotional on the sideline as Harris was taken away. 

Via a video posted on the social media platform X, the star athlete could be seen watching with a heavy heart, unable to join his teammates in the battle on the gridiron that night, for he was listed as inactive.

He sat on the sideline, his emotions laid bare, as the ambulance whisked his teammate off the field. In a quote above the clip, the poster explained, "Damar Hamlin with all the real, deep emotions about what he went through back on January 2, with his Bills teammate Damien Harris on the ground, in the latest frightening #NFL injury ?."

The X user also shared, "Thankfully Damien Harris was able to produce a Thumbs Up before being placed into the medical truck." In another caption, the netizen updated followers on the status of the injured Harris by quoting their team's PR page that bore news on his health status.

It was mentioned that while the 26-year-old's neck was "out for the game," there was improvement in his arms and leg. According to ESPN, Harris was injured on a third-and-1 carry in the second quarter when he took a hit to the neck area from Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke.

Unable to keep going, he lay on the field for several minutes as medical personnel and Bills athletic trainers tended to him. After he was carted off the field to a local hospital for further evaluation, Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins said that he was "really emotional" about seeing his teammate injured. In his words:

"It's really an emotional thing, and people be trying to act like we're unhuman like ... that stuff is real." 

Dawkins emphasized the team's genuine connection, referring to Harris as a "brother" and a "friend." He explained that the situation was heartbreaking because the former New England Patriots player had just learned he would have a son two days prior.

Painting a vivid but touching scenario where Harris might struggle to hold his newborn son, Dawkins emotionally stated, "That's scary, man. It's scary. And I take it for what it is, and I take it with respect of God, but like any moment, it could be it."

Meanwhile, the team coach, Sean McDermott, noted that he was hopeful for the 2-time CFP national champion's recovery. Seeing the Buffalo's 14-9 win as a great sign, he stated, "So, things are heading in a good direction right now for Damien." 

In a chilling parallel to Harris' harrowing experience, fans will recall this moment strikingly resembling Hamlin's own brush with a life-threatening situation earlier in the year. 

On January 2, 2023, the 25-year-old collapsed during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game came to a halt as medical personnel worked tirelessly to revive him, administering CPR for a staggering nine minutes.

Miraculously, Hamlin's heart was restarted, and he was swiftly transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further treatment. Although the road to recovery was arduous, his determination prevailed. 

Per The Blast, he even received the green light from medical professionals to return to the game he loved a few months ago. The NFL player announced the good news, 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." 

Returning with triumph in the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, he made three solo tackles, contributing significantly to the team's 23-19 victory. Speaking to reporters post-game, Hamlin emphasized the personal responsibility of stepping onto the field, acknowledging the risks, and affirming his deliberate choice to play without reservation. He asserted:

"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."