Bills' Damar Hamlin earns major award one year after cardiac arrest
One year ago Friday, Damar Hamlin was showing the first signs of recovering from his life-threatening cardiac arrest during Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season.
Now, the Buffalo Bills safety has earned the first of what could be multiple honors in 2024.
Hamlin's annual holiday toy drive became a popular charity across the United States and beyond in early 2023, as scores of fans donated to the cause.
Following an offseason filled with miraculous updates on his health, the 25-year-old entered the regular season as the heavy favorite to win the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. Hamlin's story just to get back on the football field less than one year after the scary incident is remarkable and he's still viewed as one of the leading candidates.
However, he's played in only five games during the 2023 campaign and has made two tackles. There are plenty of other contenders who have put up big-time statistics who are also deserving, which gives voters an interesting dilemma.
Among quarterbacks, the leading group includes a trio of veteran signal-callers - 38-year-old Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns, 35-year-old Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and 28-year-old Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Flacco and Stafford already have the Browns and Rams locked into playoff spots, while Mayfield can clinch a division title for the Bucs with a win in Week 18.
Hamlin faces some stiff competition for the 2023 AP Comeback Player of the Year award but his 2024 is already off to a good start.
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