Damar Hamlin has just spoken publicly for the first time since sustaining a nearly fatal injury earlier this month. The NFL safety suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, and medics had to restart his heart before rushing him to a hospital, where he remained in critical condition.
Hamlin initially shared a brief update on Instagram on January 8 in which he thanked all of his fans and the football community at large for their support, and he has now followed that up with a video message where he opens up about his road to recovery.
“Now that my brothers have closed out a strong winning season, as I continue to make so much progress recovering, I think it’s finally a good time to share a few things,” he said. “I think it was important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time, as it was just a lot to process within my own self. Mentally, physically, even spiritually.”
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“I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support, and everything that’s been coming in my way,” he continued. “What happened to me on Monday Night Football, I feel, is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world. And now I’m able to give it back to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most, and that’s always been my dream, that’s always been what I stood for and what I continue to stand for.”
Hamlin went on to thank several of the Bills training, athletic and medical staff by name, as well as a number of the doctors, nurses and first responders at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, whose swift care on the field saved his life. He then thanked his parents, who he described as being his “anchors,” his teammates for their “genuine love and support,” and the football fans of Cincinnati.
“Just to put team allegiance aside to root for one kid’s life and just the humanity of a player that’s wearing Buffalo blue, to put humanity above team loyalty, you showed the world unity over division,” he said.
Philip Ellis is a freelance writer and journalist from the United Kingdom covering pop culture, relationships and LGBTQ+ issues. His work has appeared in GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV.
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