NFL fans sat with bated breath while they watched the Buffalo Bills training staff perform life-saving measures on Damar Hamlin on that Monday night in early January. Fast-forward only six months, and now they are watching (by the grace of God) Hamlin, alive and thriving, and honoring those who saved him that night. And needless to say, it would have been difficult to find a dry eye as he presented the Pat Tillman Award.
Pat Tillman Award Given to Bills Staff by Damar Hamlin
On Wednesday evening, July 12th, the NFL held the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, affectionately known as the ESPYS, in Los Angeles. During this time, Hamlin took the stage to present an award to the Buffalo Bills training staff who saved his life after he suffered cardiac arrest against the Bengals.
The Bills at Bengals Game (MNF)
During what was, by all accounts, an average tackle, Hamlin collapsed on the field and, within moments, the Bills training staff rushed to provide assistance. For all of the fans at Paycor Stadium and the millions watching at home, the event seemed to be worthy of no more than a commercial break. On the field, however, Hamlin had suffered a phenomenon known as Commotio Cordis.
As everyone knows, the game was ultimately canceled in favor of letting both teams regroup, and Hamlin was taken to the hospital. After a couple of days that felt like a couple of months, it was revealed that Hamlin was awake, and a short time later, he was brought back home to Buffalo.
The Off-Season
Buffalo was able to stun everyone with not one but two kickoff returns by recently acquired Nyheim Hines in their Week 18 finale against the New England Patriots. Albeit the Bills-Bengals game that was canceled was eventually played, only this time it was in Orchard Park, and the home team took a divisional round whooping of 27-10. So the team moved on…
Throughout the months that followed, certain headlines made the news in Buffalo, such as the acquisition of first-round pick Dalton Kincaid in the 2023 NFL draft and veteran Leonard Floyd in free agency. Still, on the minds of Bills Mafia was the heath of Hamlin. Thankfully, that was all put to rest when the safety showed up for voluntary OTAs.
Damar Hamlin, who showed up for OTAs, immediately put a stop to the idea that he was anything other than ready to go. After being cleared by the team, Hamlin has done nothing other than promote his own status.
The Training Staff
The name Denny Kellington shot to fame as the leader of those who worked to save Hamlin’s life that night. Of course, there are many other members of the staff, and each one deserves their praise. Whether they are named individually here does not matter, however, as they all received their recognition on Wednesday night when they collectively earned the Pat Tillman Award.
In a tearful tribute, Hamlin presented the prestigious award to the entire staff, and they could not be more deserving. Hamlin wiped away tears as he introduced the staff before turning his back to the crowd and hanging his head in gratitude. The entire staff was honored by a standing ovation, and head trainer Nate Breske spoke, saying, “Damar, first and foremost, thank you for staying alive, brother.”
The Aftermath
More than six months removed from the initial shock of the incident, professional football finds itself in a better place than it was due to the now staunch clamoring for AEDs, as well as a deeper understanding of the importance of training staff to know CPR around the league.
So, all in all, there is a positive around the situation in general, as player safety should always be first on the minds of those in charge. If the Hamlin incident serves no other purpose but to keep all NFL training staff more alert and more vigilant, then it is a Bills victory in which the entire league can revel.
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