Damar Hamlin has admitted he is unsure how he will feel when he returns to the scene of his January 2 cardiac arrest this weekend, but stressed he knows he will be supported by his family and teammates.
Ten months after the terrifying incident in which the Buffalo Bills safety was resuscitated on the Paycor Stadium field after collapsing during the Week 17 game, the 25-year-old will return to the Bengals’ stadium on Sunday.
‘I don’t know what to expect. You know, this is unique to me too,” Hamlin shared The New York Post. “All I know is that I walk in with courage, with strength and I walk in with my brothers. You know, and I come in with my mom, my dad, my family. And I walk into an environment of people who have supported me all along.
“They continue to support me on both sides, you know. So you know, it’s a lot of love. I can’t wait to receive it and give it and show my gratitude, you know, but at the end of the day, we’re going there to win.”
Hamlin made his official return to the field on October 1 but has often been inactive in matches this season and has admitted he is unsure whether he will play in Sunday’s Week 9 clash.
Damar Hamlin emphasized that he will return to Cincinnati for this week’s game “with courage.”
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after a hit by Tee Higgins on Jan. 2 in Cincinnati
The 25-year-old made his official return to the field on October 1 following his miraculous recovery
He has undeniably made a miraculous recovery and claimed his return to football has given him a new outlook on life.
‘Man, I’m grateful for life. Honestly, I’m grateful that I wake up, brush my teeth and eat. Take 10 deep breaths. I’m grateful for everything,” Hamlin said.
“Life is bigger than just a ball for me and it always will be until the day I leave, but to be able to do what I do at the highest level, I’m extra grateful, you know.
‘I’m super grateful that I have my normal life back. But I am extremely grateful that I can continue to compete at the highest level and do what I love.”
Hamlin acknowledged that Sunday will be emotional not only for him, but for his teammates as well, revealing that they had discussed how it might feel for all of them.
Bills players had gathered around Hamlin as he was treated on the field under Buffalo coach Denny Kellington in January, some with tears in their eyes.
Kellington and the Bills training staff were honored with the ESPY Award for Service, presented by an emotional Hamlin at the July ceremony.
Hamlin publicly offered his support to NBA superstar LeBron James and his family after the Lakers’ eldest son Bronny suffered a heart attack during USC practice over the summer.
Buffalo Bills coach Denny Kellington performed CPR on Hamlin on the field on January 2
Hamlin admitted that Sunday will be emotional for both his Bills teammates and himself
The Bills player has also used his own experience to launch initiatives to raise awareness about heart health, including his Chasing M’s Foundation CPR tour over the summer, which provides free hands-only CPR training.
The American Heart Association has teamed up with Hamlin and his #3forHeart CPR Challenge, a social media initiative that encourages people to learn CPR, donate money to support CPR research, education and training, and share the word with others.
He met with President Joe Biden at the White House in March to discuss legislation expanding AED programs in schools.
Most recently, he worked with healthcare company and medical device manufacturer Abbott on their HeartMates program, which strives to create a community for people affected by heart disease and their caregivers.
He met with President Joe Biden to discuss legislation expanding AED programs
Meanwhile, the NFL and the American Heart Association teamed up to provide free CPR education at the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona, ahead of the Super Bowl in February.
The Cardinals and Packers both donated defibrillators to local schools in the wake of Hamlin’s collapse.
Hamlin said the fact that these initiatives are happening in his honor gives him more strength and courage to continue his path to recovery and continue his campaign.
“I’m fully on that mission,” he said. “In the same way that I am fully invested in my team, I am fully invested in continuing to make this mission as great as it can be.”