Bills' Damar Hamlin reveals cause of cardiac arrest

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin revealed what caused him to go into cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.

"The diagnosis of pretty much what happened to me was basically commotio cordis," Hamlin explained, as shared by Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "...Commotio cordis is the leading cause of death in youth athletes across all sports. So that's something that I personally will be taking a step in to make a change. Also, with that being said, all of the awareness around CPR and access to (automated external defibrillators) have been lowering that number as well."

Michael Merschel of American Heart Association News noted that commotio cordis is defined as "a rare cardiac arrest immediately following a blow to the chest." 

Hamlin experienced his medical emergency seconds after what seemed to be a routine football play, a tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Hamlin and the Bills previously declined to say what doctors felt went wrong at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium on the first Monday night of 2023. One result was that the 25-year-old became the subject of what teammate Josh Allen referred to as "stupid" conspiracy theories. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed that Hamlin was cleared to resume football-related activities. Hamlin later announced his plans to make a full comeback. 

"My heart is still in it. My heart is still in the game," Hamlin remarked. "I love the game. It's something I want to prove to myself — not nobody else. I just want to show people that fear is a choice. You can keep going in something without having the answers and without knowing what's at the end of the tunnel. Or you might feel anxious, you might feel any type of way, but you keep putting that right foot in front of the left one and you keep going. I want to stand for that."

According to Alec White of the Bills website, head coach Sean McDermott told reporters the organization will continue to "provide all the mental help we can from a mind, body and spirit standpoint" as it pertains to Hamlin returning to work roughly three months after he nearly lost his life.