photo courtesy of CBS Sports
Damar Hamlin has released a heartfelt video on Instagram to talk about his journey following his collapsing on the field during a Buffalo Bills game. On January 28, Hamlin captioned his video “from the heart.” He took the time to thank everyone for their support and talk a little bit about his recovery process following the January 2 incident.
The video begins with Hamlin entering the frame and putting down an NFL Bills’ colored jacket in honor of his team. He acknowledged his teammates’ strong season coming to an end and said, “As I continue to make so much progress recovering, I think it’s finally a good time to share a few things. 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 and even spiritually.” He explained that the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and the Buffalo Bills medical team took good care of him.
Hamlin then offered appreciation for the Buffalo Bills’ staff members who not only medically supported him but also stuck by him emotionally. He described his family as “literally my anchor” and called his younger brother “my why my reason why I strive to be my best self every day.”
“I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support and everything that’s just been coming in my way,” Hamlin told his fans, “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 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 will continue to stand for.”
24-year-old Damar Hamlin collapsed during a football game on January 2 after colliding with an opposing team’s wide receiver during a Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals game. He immediately received CPR and was rushed to the hospital. It was later revealed that Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest attack on the field, and he is now in recovery.