NFL
Hamlin finally back on the field
In the AFC East division showdown, the Buffalo Bills dominated the Miami Dolphins 48-20 at home during the fourth NFL weekend.
Damar Hamlin returned to the field for the first time after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game against the Bengals on January 2. After the incident, the 25-year-old stayed in the hospital for nine days in Buffalo. In April, he disclosed that a blow to the chest caused his heart to stop, known as commotio cordis.
The commotio cordis is a rare cardiac arrest condition when a direct blow at a specific point in a heartbeat causes sudden death. During the game, Hamlin collapsed and was immediately taken to the hospital. He was in critical condition and spent several days in the intensive care unit. Fortunately, the medical team gave Hamlin proper medical attention and later assured him he could resume playing without fearing setbacks or reoccurrence.
On Sunday, Hamlin returned as the last Bills player to come out of the tunnel and run onto the field.
“Big. That moment was everything to me, and I think it was more about promising to myself than anything else, just showing myself that I have the courage, I have the strength, that I have the pride, everything, all those words, in me to be able to go through something traumatic and to be able to come back from it,” he added. “To be able to do still what I love at the highest level in the world is amazing.”
Hamlin, a third-year player, was allowed to play for Buffalo’s return team on the opening kickoff. Although he didn’t register a tackle, he felt exhilarated to return to the football field again. Aged 25, Hamlin had been cleared by doctors in April to play the game he loved after an injury kept him out of the game for a while.
His opportunity to play came after starting safety Jordan Poyer was sidelined by a knee injury in the third week of the season. Hamlin had been a healthy scratch for the first three weeks, but his determination to play never waned.
When Hamlin took to the field, he didn’t waste the opportunity. He stopped in the far end zone, threw up his arms, and knelt to pray. It was his way of saying thanks to God for the opportunity to play again.
Despite the setback, Hamlin’s love for the game remains steadfast. He continues to work hard and dreams of returning to the field to play the game he loves.