Former Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Damar Hamlin received recognition from the city on Sunday, which was dubbed Damar Hamlin Day in recognition of his “excellence, dedication and perseverance.”
The Buffalo Bills safety tweeted, “This one meant a lot to me, Thank you Pittsburgh,” along with a photo of the official proclamation.
As part of the July 9 festivities, Hamlin’s foundation, Chasing M’s, provided free CPR training for hundreds of attendees at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh is where Hamlin grew up, in the McKees Rocks area specifically. In college, it’s also where he created Chasing M’s while playing for the Panthers. He wanted to give back to the kids who grew up like he did in his old neighborhood. The charity’s efforts began with toy drives, with Hamlin personally delivering the gifts.
The foundation became something more on Jan. 2, 2023, when fans watched as he collapsed early in a game against the Bengals. Fans across the country wanted to help as the young safety battled for his life. They discovered a link to a small foundation fundraiser and posted it on social media. Within a day, the fund topped $1 million and continued to grow.
Hamlin on CPR training tour
Hamlin’s near death on the field in Cincinnati is inspiring him to go above and beyond to help others.
The Bills safety is helping teach the techniques that saved his life back on Jan. 2. He’s using his Chasing M’s foundation to spread the word on CPR. Literally. He’s in the midst of a CPR tour. At each stop, his foundation hands out automated external defibrillators (AED) to youth sports organizations. And everyone who attends the events learns how to do CPR.
Damar Hamlin is now much more than just an NFL player headed into this third season. He also is a conduit for what he calls a “superpower.”
“I just want to be able to … take a nation of bystanders and turn them into lifesavers and give them a true superpower,” Hamlin said in an interview with the Associated Press. “To be able to save a life is a true superpower. Instead of people standing by not knowing what to do, I’m just trying to create more people who do know what to do. This weekend specifically, people in my community.”
He added “My (fame) came about a different way. But we’re here and we’re getting the job done.”
“I wake up every day and think about how I can impact the world in a positive way,” Hamlin added. “That’s what I care about if you take away everything else.”
On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.
More must-reads: