Damar Hamlin has been an inspiration to many. The Buffalo Bills safety went down in a terrifying moment on Monday Night Football 630 days ago. Since that near-death experience, he’s worked his way back onto the field and earned a starting spot this season.
On Monday night, Hamlin added another chapter to his comeback story by recording the first interception of his NFL career. In the second quarter of the Bills’ home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hamlin intercepted a Trevor Lawrence pass and ran it back 19 yards.
The Buffalo home crowd immediately erupted in cheers and held up three fingers in the air to represent Hamlin’s No. 3 jersey. Hamlin, still holding the ball, headed to the sideline where his teammates were ready to celebrate.
The Bills capitalized on the turnover on the ensuing drive to take a 27-3 lead.
At halftime, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott offered his thoughts on the interception.
“It’s amazing,” McDermott told ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge. “Dumar’s been great. He’s had a great journey.”
On January 2, 2023, Hamlin was in kick coverage during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals when he collided with Tee Higgins and went into cardiac arrest. Medics had to perform CPR on the field and resuscitate Hamlin twice. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital where he remained for more than a week.
Hamlin returned to the football field last season in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins. He played a total of five games in the 2023 regular season, primarily on special teams, and made his first start since 2022 in Week 1 of this year against the Arizona Cardinals.
After the Bills’ 47-10 win over the Jaguars on Monday night, Hamlin spoke to Rutledge about how it felt to celebrate the interception with his teammates.
“It’s special,” he said. “I owe it to them to have made it this far. They’ve given me the push, the love, the generosity. They’ve given me everything I’ve ever needed on this journey. When I got my first interception, they were happier than I was. It’s a testament to the community and bond in Buffalo. This is a really special place and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
“I’m still processing it,” Hamlin said of his emotions. “I’m just taking it one day at a time. My teammates, coaching staff and the entire Bills organization have always been there for me and supported me, just like they do now.”
“I’m so grateful that I’m a part of the Buffalo Bills. I’m so thankful.”
“I don’t want to be known as just a survivor. My story is my story. It’s still being written,” Hamlin told NFL Media this offseason.
And on Monday night, he proved just that.
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