13 months ago, Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle in the Week 17 game.. He was administered CPR before being rushed to a local Cincinnati hospital.
Hamlin recovered and played in his first game since the medical incident in the Bills preseason outing against the Indianapolis Colts. He made the 53 man squad after preseason and made his debut in an AFC East divisional showdown against the Miami Dolphins, who were fighting to also win the division.
Hamlin has received a top honor for his impressive return to high-level football. Hamlin was awarded the Professional Football Writers of America’s Comeback Player of the Year:
BREAKING: #Bill safety Damar Hamlin has been named the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year.
Hamlin has been the heavy favorite to win all season long on @BovadaOfficial. pic.twitter.com/B2DHiwF8Us
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 26, 2024
In the 2023 season, Hamlin played five games. While the box score isn’t as impactful as it may seem, the fact that Hamlin narrowly escaped death to compete and earn a spot in the Bills team was very impressive.
According to bettors, once Hamlin made the 53-man roster he was a heavy favorite to win all season long. We will see after the culmination of the season whether he also wins the prestigious NFL Comeback Player of the Year as voted by the Associated Press. Last season’s winner Geno Smith won both awards.
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