Bills’ Damar Hamlin admits he’s a ‘little scared’ after stepping on the field for the first time since his on-field cardiac arrest
Hamlin said his strength is rooted in his faith.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin practiced with pads on for the first time on Monday since his tragic cardiac arrest earlier this year. His recovery since then has been astounding, but that ill-fated day is still fresh in the mind of the 25-year-old, as he revealed that the journey was a “roller coaster of emotions.”
While suiting up for the first day of training, Hamlin claimed he did feel a little fear about going out on the field again. But he has unfinished business, and after the incident, he discovered a new passion for educating people about CPR, and the NFL is the best platform to do it.
The Bills players entered the field one by one at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York. Naturally, the fans were hyped to see their favorite players train in open sessions. But the loudest cheer was for Damar Hamlin when he walked down the steps and into the training ground.
After the practice concluded, Hamlin spoke with the media and spoke about his hesitations. “This is just another milestone on the journey,” he said. “It might be one of the biggest ones. But I’m processing a thousand emotions.”
“I’m not afraid to say [I was] a little scared here and there. But my strength is rooted in my faith, [which is] stronger than any fear,” Hamlin admitted, according to Pro Football Talk. Moreover, he wants to spread the same message to the world: Have faith because, with it, “you can get through anything.”
Damar Hamlin is back at practice ❤️ (via @NFLTotalAccess
) @HamlinIslandpic.twitter.com/Y9G8HUE2Up— NFL Network (@nflnetwork)
July 31, 2023
Damar Hamlin had a good first day of training at the Bills training camp.
Hamlin shares a moment with Bills head trainer Nate Breske at training camp (Image credit Jon Scott)
The Hamlin family must be proud to see their son take the field once again after the tragic collision against Tee Higgins in the Bengals game in January. Damar managed to survive because of the quick thinking of the Bills’ medical team. Now he’s back where he belongs.
Back in pads. 🫶@HamlinIsland | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/yzmUq4Jz8y
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 31, 2023
“It’s a superblessed space. To be able to do what I love again,” he said, as he wants everything to be normal. Well, the normality of football dawned on him when the practice began.
Damar Hamlin strapped on the pads and dealt with contact for the 1st time since suffering cardiac arrest on January 2nd.
"It’s a roller coaster of emotions. I was kind of all over the place."
His thoughts on hurdle he cleared, challenge it was to do so, and what's next.#Bills pic.twitter.com/eeeYkuIGhM
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) July 31, 2023
The Bills players started off with a running drill to the red zone. Later on, Hamlin showed no sign of rust as he pinned down Damien Harris. His biggest play came during the final stages of the day. After avoiding a block in the backfield, he stopped tight end Quintin Morris. Hamlin said that moment of contact reminded him that he is still alive and had work to do.
