What Happened to Damar Hamlin? Is He returns to NFL action after Cardiac Arrest

Damar Hamlin is a safety for the Buffalo Bills who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. He was resuscitated on the field and taken to a hospital in critical condition. After showing signs of improvement and recovery, he was cleared to return to football activities in April 2023. He played in the preseason games and made his regular season comeback on October 1, 2023, against the Miami Dolphins. He is expected to be active for the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 10, 2023.

Overview of Damar Hamlin’s Career and Cardiac Arrest

Damar Hamlin was born on March 24, 1998, in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a second-team All-ACC honoree in 2020. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in 14 games as a rookie, mostly as a backup and special teamer. He became a starter in 2022 after Micah Hyde suffered a season-ending injury. He recorded 91 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 15 games before his cardiac arrest.

Hamlin’s cardiac arrest occurred in the first quarter of the Week 17 game at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium. He tackled Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who hit him in the chest with his right shoulder. Hamlin got up and then collapsed seconds later. He was given CPR and defibrillation on the field for nearly 20 minutes before being taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The game was delayed and then called off. The Bills said that Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored on the field and that he was sedated and in critical condition at the hospital. It was later determined that Hamlin’s cardiac arrest was caused by commotio cordis, which is a rare condition that can happen when a blunt impact to the chest disrupts the heart’s electrical charge and causes dangerous fibrillations.

Return to NFL Action

Hamlin began to wake up and communicate with his family and doctors on January 4, 2023. His first question was, “Did we win?”⁵ He was transferred to a Buffalo hospital on January 6, 2023, and discharged to rehabilitate from home on January 11, 2023. He was fully cleared to resume football activities in April 2023. By August 2023, he was a full participant in preseason games and performed well, making three tackles in each game. He made the Bills’ 53-man roster for the regular season.

Hamlin was inactive for the first three games of the regular season but made his comeback on October 1, 2023, against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium. He participated in the opening kickoff and played mostly on special teams. He ran the length of the field with his arms spread before the game and received a standing ovation from the crowd. He is expected to be active for the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 10, 2023.

Support and Recovery

Hamlin received an outpouring of support from his teammates, coaches, fans, and fellow players around the league after his cardiac arrest. The Bills organization stayed in close contact with his family and provided emotional and financial assistance. The fans held vigils outside the stadium and donated more than $5 million to Hamlin’s toy drive for kids. The NFL adjusted its playoff scenarios to account for the canceled game and awarded Hamlin with the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award and the George Halas Award for his courage and perseverance.

Hamlin also participated in CPR training and education with the American Heart Association as part of his recovery process. He launched his #3forHeart CPR Challenge, which encourages people to learn Hands-Only CPR, donate to fund CPR education and training, and share their support on social media. He also went on a multi-city CPR tour with his foundation, Chasing M’s Foundation, to provide CPR and AED training to youth programs.

Hamlin’s road to being medically cleared for football activity involved extensive testing and monitoring of his heart function and rhythm. He had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) inserted into his chest to regulate his heartbeat and prevent future cardiac arrests. He also had to undergo physical therapy and mental health counseling to cope with the trauma of his near-death experience.

Outlook for NFL Return

Hamlin’s return to NFL action is a remarkable achievement and a testament to his resilience and determination. He is expected to play a role in the Bills’ special teams unit, which is an important aspect of the game that can affect field position, momentum, and scoring opportunities. He may also see some snaps on defense as a backup safety, depending on the game situation and the health of the starters.

Hamlin’s return may also have an impact on the Bills’ team dynamic and morale. He is a well-liked and respected teammate who inspires others with his positive attitude and work ethic. He is a leader on and off the field who sets an example for his peers. He is also a fan favorite who connects with the community through his charitable efforts.

Conclusion

Hamlin received an outpouring of support from his teammates, coaches, fans, and fellow players around the league after his cardiac arrest. He also participated in CPR training and education with the American Heart Association as part of his recovery process. He launched his #3forHeart CPR Challenge and went on a multi-city CPR tour with his foundation, Chasing M’s Foundation.

Hamlin’s return to NFL action is a remarkable achievement and a testament to his resilience and determination. He is expected to play a role in the Bills’ special teams unit and possibly on defense as a backup safety. He may also have an impact on the Bills’ team dynamic and morale as a well-liked and respected teammate, leader, and fan favorite.