- Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest at Paycor Stadium on January 2
- Now he’s honoring the first responders, nurses and doctors who treated him
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
As Damar Hamlin returns to the place where he suffered a terrifying cardiac arrest last winter, he is honoring the medical team that helped save his life by launching a college scholarship program for Cincinnati youth on Sunday.
Hamlin collapsed at Paycor Stadium on Jan. 2 when the Bills faced the Bengals, and was immediately treated by first responders who helped keep him alive.
Now, Chasing M’s, Hamlin’s charitable foundation, will award $1,000 scholarships to 10 individuals from Cincinnati’s underserved communities over the next three years.
Each of the individual scholarships will be named after the 10 first responders, nurses and doctors who treated Hamlin after he went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field during a Jan. 2 game in Cincinnati.
The safety, who has been inactive for the Bills this year, said: “I am humbled by the opportunity to establish a scholarship program in honor of this team of professionals – my Cincinnati heroes – who helped save my life.” to rescue.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has started a scholarship fund to benefit Cincinnati youth
Hamlin collapsed on the field during the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Bengals 10 months ago
“Today, as I look at honoring these Cincinnati heroes and lifting up young people trying to find their way, I am reminded of the tremendous blessing I have received through my philanthropy and the generosity of people around the world. world.’
Although Hamlin started his foundation while still in college to give back to local youth, it wasn’t until his collapse and recovery that Chasing M’s raised more than $9 million in contributions.
He has since used his charity to distribute automated external defibrillators to community sports clubs and promote CPR training.
Hamlin grew up in the Pittsburgh suburb of McKees Rock and himself received a scholarship that allowed him to attend Central Catholic High School.
Damar Hamlin is ready to ‘walk through fire’ upon his return to Cincinnati this weekend
He eventually went on to play for the University of Pittsburgh and was drafted to the Bills in 2021.
Speaking on teammate Von Miller’s podcast ‘The Von cast this week, Hamlin admitted it will be an “emotional” night at Paycor Stadium.
“I think it’s going to be super electric and I think it’s going to be nothing but love,” he said when Miller asked him how it will feel to return to Cincinnati.
“So when I go back into that, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a lot of memories that are going to make it emotional for me, but I’m not running away from it. I’m ready to walk through fire.