Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is set to make his return to the NFL field less than one year since suffering cardiac arrest in a nationally televised game.
Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field during a Monday Night Football game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals on January 2. The medical team at the stadium immediately sprung into action to perform life-saving CPR on the field before transporting him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
But on Saturday, August 12, Hamlin will once again suit up for the Bills’ Week 1 preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Damar Hamlin plays football today 🫶
Let’s go Buffalo! #BillsMafiaÂ
pic.twitter.com/hrKBK4BMxb— John Sparacoâ„¢ (@JohnSparaco) August 12, 2023
“This is, to some extent, uncharted territory for me as well, and all of us,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said, via the Associated Press.
“So we’re just trying to do the best we can to be there for him. I try to keep a close eye on where he is and where he’s showing up and how he’s responding. And he’s done a great job.”
It will be an emotional moment for Hamlin and his teammates, but he will have the support of the entire football world.
And considering the game is in Buffalo, there will be an uproar of applause from the Bills faithful when he takes his first steps back onto the field.
“Man, sometimes it’s like normal don’t exist,” Hamlin said. “But it’s a super-blessed space. To be able to do what I love again. That’s kind of the normal thing.”
Kickoff between the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.
