Buffalo Bills assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington faced the biggest challenge of his career on Jan. 2. When Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kellington provided CPR on him and gave him enough time for further help to arrive.
Now over four months later, Hamlin's recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. The 25-year-old safety is not only alive today, but fully healthy and even cleared to play again next season. Many have helped Hamlin get to this point, but Kellington is no doubt one of the biggest players in this incredible journey.
Despite his heroics, Kellington had not spoken publicly on the event since it happened. That is, until Oklahoma State University, his alma mater, invited him to speak at its commencement ceremony on Saturday. Speaking in front of 3,500 graduates, Kellington said he wasn't a hero on that night, just prepared for the situation.
“The reason anyone knows Denny Kellington is because of one fateful and near-tragic moment on a football field,” Kellington said. “… Our safety Damar Hamlin had a cardiac event that could have ended his life in front of his family, his teammates, his coaches, our athletic training staff and the millions of football fans watching in the stadium, or from the comfort of their living room TVs.
“... All the attention I've received for simply doing my job has been overwhelming. I've said repeatedly that I am not a hero, but I will tell you what I was that day, I was ready.”
In his speech, Kellington advised the graduates to be ready for any crisis, just as he was in January.
“When unexpected doors open, or life changes course, trust that your experiences have led you there and you will be ready,” Kellington said. “Today, as you ponder the next steps of your career, I want you to think about who helped get you here. Be proud of your hard work, but also be grateful for those who cheered you on, those who sacrificed and those who saw potential in you and made sure you knew your capabilities.
“Understand this: small things done with passion and intention have the potential to make a lasting impact with ripple effects that you may never understand.”
You can follow Jonathan Alfano on Twitter at @JonAlfano_News
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