Damar Hamlin Made a Surprising Appearance During Super Bowl Week to Receive an Award
ArrayDamar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game last month, made an unexpected appearance at Super Bowl week. During the pre-Super Bowl news conferences in Phoenix, Arizona, Hamlin was among the five finalists for the NFL Players Association’s Alan Page Community Award. To the surprise of journalists, Hamlin stepped onto the stage to accept the award.
Hamlin’s appearance was met with subdued applause, and he gave a short address to the journalists in attendance without taking any questions. He then received the award and a donation of $100,000 (£83,000). In his statement, Hamlin expressed his gratitude by saying, “It’s a blessing to be a blessing.”
The Buffalo Bills safety had established the Chasing M’s foundation in 2020, with the goal of providing toys for children in need in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The foundation’s toy drive has seen an outpouring of support, collecting nearly $9 million in donations since Hamlin’s cardiac arrest incident during a game in Cincinnati, Ohio, far surpassing its original fundraising target of $25,000.
Hamlin was brought back to life on the field on January 2nd and was released from the hospital after a nine-day stay. He made a visit to the team facility prior to the Buffalo Bills’ playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 22nd, where he made his first public appearance since his cardiac arrest.
He greeted the fans with a wave from inside a stadium suite and has since shared updates on social media. However, his attendance at the award ceremony on Wednesday was his first media appearance since the medical emergency occurred.
Hamlin expressed gratitude for his opportunity to give back to his community while accepting the award on stage. Accompanied by his parents, he spoke of his father’s influence in instilling a sense of community service in him and his own commitment to making a difference. The NFLPA executive director praised Hamlin as an individual who has triumphed over adversity, reminding everyone of the risks involved in the game, as well as the love, joy, and brotherhood of those who play it.
Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game last month, made an unexpected appearance at Super Bowl week. During the pre-Super Bowl news conferences in Phoenix, Arizona, Hamlin was among the five finalists for the NFL Players Association’s Alan Page Community Award. To the surprise of journalists, Hamlin stepped onto the stage to accept the award.
Hamlin’s appearance was met with subdued applause, and he gave a short address to the journalists in attendance without taking any questions. He then received the award and a donation of $100,000 (£83,000). In his statement, Hamlin expressed his gratitude by saying, “It’s a blessing to be a blessing.”
The Buffalo Bills safety had established the Chasing M’s foundation in 2020, with the goal of providing toys for children in need in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The foundation’s toy drive has seen an outpouring of support, collecting nearly $9 million in donations since Hamlin’s cardiac arrest incident during a game in Cincinnati, Ohio, far surpassing its original fundraising target of $25,000.
Hamlin was brought back to life on the field on January 2nd and was released from the hospital after a nine-day stay. He made a visit to the team facility prior to the Buffalo Bills’ playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 22nd, where he made his first public appearance since his cardiac arrest.
He greeted the fans with a wave from inside a stadium suite and has since shared updates on social media. However, his attendance at the award ceremony on Wednesday was his first media appearance since the medical emergency occurred.
Hamlin expressed gratitude for his opportunity to give back to his community while accepting the award on stage. Accompanied by his parents, he spoke of his father’s influence in instilling a sense of community service in him and his own commitment to making a difference. The NFLPA executive director praised Hamlin as an individual who has triumphed over adversity, reminding everyone of the risks involved in the game, as well as the love, joy, and brotherhood of those who play it.