Buffalo Bills Star Damar Hamlin Emotionally Honors Medical Saviors at 2023 ESPY Awards

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After suffering cardiac arrest six months ago, Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin had a permanent smile on his face at the 2023 ESPY Awards.

Hamlin, 25, expressed his excitement to reporters as he walked the red carpet on Wednesday, July 12, stating, "I will be immersing myself in this experience all night." He passionately praised the Buffalo Bills medical staff, who will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ceremony for their prompt response to Hamlin's medical crisis in January.

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Hamlin expressed his deep gratitude on Wednesday towards the individuals who assisted him in his recovery, stating, "It carries tremendous significance. We experienced an extraordinary moment together. I will forever have a strong bond with the medical staff; they are like family to me."

The Bills announced in June that their training staff would receive one of the ESPYs' most prestigious awards. This award was established in memory of Pat Tilman, a former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger who tragically lost his life in Afghanistan in 2004.

During his acceptance speech on behalf of the staff, Nate Breske, the head of the Bills' medical team, expressed gratitude for the outcome they had experienced. He credited the success to the combined efforts of dedicated specialists who came together to fulfill their responsibilities that night.

Breske then faced Hamlin directly as he presented the award, expressing gratitude for Hamlin's survival and acknowledging him as a resilient and admirable individual.

In January, during a football game, Hamlin collapsed on the field after making a tackle on Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. The medical team promptly responded, performing nearly 10 minutes of CPR before transferring him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Despite initial reports suggesting the league's desire to continue the game, the coaches, players, and NFL reached a consensus to postpone it.

"In both locker rooms, the emotions were evident, and I applaud both coaches for their actions. It was a challenging situation to return to the locker room and address the 53 players without being asked, but they effectively managed to calm everyone down," stated NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent during a conference call, as reported by multiple sources. "During the phone conversation, it was clear that emotions were running extremely high. The situation was highly volatile, but the coaches stepped up and provided strong leadership for their respective teams."

According to ESPN, the day after being admitted to the hospital, Dorrian Glenn, uncle of Hamlin, mentioned that his nephew's condition was already showing signs of improvement.

"We will continue to offer our prayers, knowing that he is receiving excellent care from the medical team here. They have been doing an outstanding job," Glenn expressed outside the hospital. He added that Hamlin had to be resuscitated for the second time upon his arrival at the medical center. "I have confidence that he is still with us and is putting up a strong fight."

On January 9, the athlete was discharged from the hospital and returned to Buffalo. "He is progressing well, and this marks the next phase of his recovery," stated Dr. Timothy Pritts.

Several days later, Hamlin took to Instagram to provide updates on his recovery.

"Now that I've made significant progress in my recovery, I feel it's the right time to share a few things," he expressed. "I cannot express enough how thankful I am for all the love, support, and everything that has been coming my way. The incident that occurred during Monday Night Football feels like a clear example of God using me as a vessel to convey my passion and love directly. ... Ever since I joined the Buffalo Bills, I have experienced nothing but genuine love and support. This has truly uplifted me and helped me overcome the most challenging moments."

Hamlin made a notable comeback at Super Bowl LVII in February, more than a month after his significant health scare. In an interview on Good Morning America, he expressed his desire to eventually return to the game while acknowledging that the most challenging aspect of his recovery thus far has been dealing with his emotions. In April, the Bills' general manager, Brandon Beane, and Hamlin jointly declared that doctors had given him the green light to play in the upcoming 2023 football season.

Hamlin expressed his gratitude and acknowledged his blessings, stating, "This experience had a profound impact on my life, but it does not mark the conclusion of my journey. I am thrilled to disclose my intention of making a triumphant return to the NFL."

Following a span of two months, Hamlin rejoined the team and embarked on his initial practice session with the Bills.