Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin returned to NFL competition in a pre-season game on Saturday, seven months after having a cardiac arrest after being hit during a game.
The 25-year-old defensive back took part in his first on-field game action since being carted off the field in an ambulance on Jan. 2, playing in the first quarter at home against Indianapolis, Indiana.
Hamlin saw action on 24 snaps and recorded three tackles in the Bills’ 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts, and was smiling after the game as he reflected on his return to action.
Photo: Gregory Fisher-USA Today
“That was fun, it was super fun, it was a great experience. Just another milestone ... just getting back to myself as far as in the football space and in the NFL. So, just chopping this tree down as much as I can one by one,” he said.
It was the completion of a comeback from an incident that took place at Cincinnati when Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and seconds later collapsed on the field.
Emergency medical workers restored his heartbeat on the field and he was taken to a nearby hospital, the game halted and never completed. Hamlin eventually recovered and was diagnosed as having been struck in the chest between heartbeats in a rare incident that stopped his heart.
He said he had not had any hesitation about stepping back on to the field.
“When you step in between the lines, you’re putting yourself at risk by hesitation. So, I made the choice that I wanted to play. It wasn’t nobody else’s choice but mine,” he said. “Making that choice, I know what comes with it. So, when you see my cleats laced up and my helmet and pants on, there ain’t no hesitation.”
“I honestly couldn’t imagine not being a part of this and choosing the other choice that I had, I honestly couldn’t imagine it, bcause you get so close, you build so many relationships with these people on the team, that I love this atmosphere. And honestly, there’s no other place I’d rather be,” he said.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Hamlin for his bravery in returning to a sport where violent hits are part of the game.
“What we just witnessed, to me, is remarkable. It’s a true sign of a young man’s courage and obviously [credit to] everyone that helped him get to this point,” he said.
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