Damar Hamlin is easing back into football activities for the Buffalo Bills after receiving full clearance to return to the field last month. Hamlin went into cardiac arrest following an incident during a Jan. 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, requiring multiple resuscitation efforts.
“I’m not going to get into specifics — where he is and what hour,” head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Wednesday. “But he’s in the building working, and we’ll take it one day at a time.”
Following his life-threatening accident on Monday Night Football earlier this year, Hamlin became a household name as he battled for his life. With the help of medical personnel on the field and later at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Buffalo General Medical Center, however, the 25-year-old defensive back survived the incident and has fully recovered after more than five months of treatment.
Buffalo defensive backs coach John Butler expressed excitement about Hamlin’s return and said that he was progressing well.
“To have him out there, in the drills, in the walk-throughs, in the meetings and just around day to day, I think it’s incredible,” Butler said. “But based on where he’s going, I think he’s definitely heading the right direction.”
During his time off the field this offseason, Hamlin has spent time making the most of the incidental platform he received as a result of his setback.
After millions of dollars poured into his toy drive during his recovery, the young player and his family announced that the funds would be diverted to efforts focused on youth sports and education efforts. Hamlin also appeared before Congress and met with President Joe Biden in March to support the Access to AEDs Act, which would provide increased funding for AED and CPR training in schools.
“We are so humbled and inspired by what I feel is the opportunity that God has given me to help and protect young people based on what I experienced,” Hamlin said on Capitol Hill. “The Access to AEDs Act will help ensure that schools are just as prepared and trained to respond in a time of crisis as those on the sideline in an NFL game.”
