In an unprecedented incident in NFL history, the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills was suspended with 58 minutes and 5 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Hamlin Damar of the Bills collapsed on the field due to safety concerns.
Hamlin delivered a forceful tackle on Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins, bringing him down to the ground. He quickly regained his footing after the tackle.
He was not breathing on his own, but he had a pulse. He was being transported off the field, indicating that he would later be reported as being given CPR on the field, according to early reports.
The NFL delayed the game by over an hour.
Hamlin is a second-year player who came to the Bills as a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh.
Despite facing challenging conditions, Hamlin performed admirably but has been acquiring skills through hands-on experience. During Week 2, Micah Hyde endured a season-ending neck injury following his promotion to the starting position at free safety this year.
Hamlin hails from Pittsburgh and he was a college teammate of Bills cornerback Dane Jackson.
2021: Damar Hamlin, a rookie for the Bills, confronted challenges from his early years and now has an opportunity in the NFL.
Mario, a young man, saw the worst things in life as he lost three close friends to senseless deaths by bullets. He turned to selling drugs in an attempt to make ends meet, relying on his father Damar and his wife Nina for support at their own home. The police never solved these tragedies.
He was incarcerated for 3 ½ years during Damar’s crucial developmental period, forcing his wife and son to manage on their own, subsequent to his arrest and conviction.
Despite being subjected to more adversity than a young man should, Hamlin successfully navigated through potential pitfalls. He attributes his ability to distinguish between right and wrong to the guidance of his parents.
“During a recent interview, Hamlin mentioned that the biggest difference he has seen in everyone’s lives is the transition from childhood to adulthood. He credited his two parents for being dedicated to him and supporting him throughout his upbringing. He expressed his gratitude for having both of his parents in his life and acknowledged that they have played a significant role in shaping who he is today.”
There have always been times where my parents could steer me right or left and get me back on track. I’ve got to give them credit for straightening me out. The only thing I had to listen to was the type of kid I was.
Hamlin rose above it all in high school, enjoyed a tremendous football career and earned a scholarship to Pitt, his hometown team.
His advancement to the NFL was a genuine heartwarming tale considering his early life situations.
Last year, Brandon Beane, the general manager of the Bills, expressed, “However, it is truly impressive how Damar manages to steer clear of adversities. He has encountered individuals who have passed away or faced challenges, but ultimately, his focus remains on football. He possesses admirable qualities as a person and is destined for success in his professional career.” Beane further added, “The narratives shared by these individuals often evoke a sense of hardship and make you reflect, ‘Wow, that’s incredibly difficult; this player, this person has faced significant challenges.'”
When Hamlin first entered the NFL, he knew that he wanted to start his own foundation as a way to give back to the community that formed him.
Here is what he penned on the opening page for the website in 2020:
I am committed to using my platform to deliver a positive impact to the community that raised me, and I will never forget where I come from as I embark on my journey. Foundation M’s Chasing The is the vehicle that will allow me to deliver the impact to the community that raised me.