ESPYS to honor Bills training staff for helping save Damar Hamlin
Individuals associated with the Buffalo Bills continue to receive deserved praise for helping save the life of safety Damar Hamlin in January.
ESPN confirmed Wednesday that every member of the Bills athletic training staff will officially receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service during the 2023 ESPYS scheduled to air on July 12. Per Isabelle Lopez of ESPN Press Room, this particular award typically goes to an individual "with a strong connection to sports who has served others" as did Tillman, a former NFL player and United States Army Ranger.
Hamlin famously collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a "Monday Night Football" game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. Medical personnel quickly rushed onto the field and used both CPR and an automated external defibrillator to resuscitate the 25-year-old, and their actions made it possible for Hamlin to recover and ultimately work toward resuming his playing career.
Per the Associated Press (h/t NFL website), Hamlin and first responders credited with saving his life were recognized at the "NFL Honors" event days ahead of Super Bowl LVII. As noted by Kyle Brown of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Hamlin along with medical professionals from the Bills and Bengals, first responders, and University of Cincinnati Medical Center personnel were all honored during a ceremony held shortly before kickoff of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Pro Football Writers of America announced in May that Hamlin was selected as the organization's 2023 George Halas Award winner. That honor goes to "an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed."
As of Wednesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed Hamlin as the betting favorite at -300 odds to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award for this coming season. Four other players were tied for second at +2500 at that time.
While Hamlin was cleared to resume football-related activities in April, his status for Buffalo's regular-season opener at the New York Jets on Sept. 11 is unknown as of the final week of June.
More must-reads: