Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin publicly addressed his cardiac arrest incident for the first time on Saturday through a video shared on social media. In the video posted by the Bills on Twitter, Hamlin explained that he waited to speak out until he felt ready, as the event had been overwhelming. He expressed gratitude to medical staff and fans for their support.
“What happened to me on Monday Night Football was God using me as a vessel to share my passion and love from my heart with the entire world. Now, I can give back to kids and communities in need, which has always been my dream and my mission,” Hamlin stated.
Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation community toy drive has garnered over $9 million in donations as of Saturday. He went on to thank the Bills’ medical team by name for their immediate assistance, as well as first responders at the University of Cincinnati Hospital and doctors at Buffalo Medical Center.
This marked Hamlin’s first public comment since collapsing after a tackle in the first quarter of the Bills-Bengals game on January 2. He received CPR on the field and was transported to the hospital, leaving everyone present and those watching at home in shock and uncertainty about his condition.
Medical professionals later confirmed that Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest, where his heart suddenly stopped beating. The game was postponed and subsequently canceled.
Hamlin has since shown serious recovery, being discharged from the Buffalo Medical Center on January 11. He also attended the Bills’ divisional round game against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday, where the Bills lost 27-10.