Damar Hamlin reacts to earning first career interception, reflects on ‘special’ experience with Bills 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin had a night to remember as he recorded his first career interception in the Monday Night Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After the game, Hamlin spoke to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge about picking off Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and sharing the moment with his teammates.

“It’s special, man. They were a big part of me being able to make this type of comeback,” Hamlin said. “They pushed me, they gave me love, they gave me grace, they gave me everything I needed on the journey. They was even happier than I was to get my first interception. That just shows the community and the bond that we have here in Buffalo. It’s truly a special place, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Hamlin also spoke to Rutledge about his emotions after the pick and helping the Bills earn a 47-10 victory over the Jaguars. “There is no word, man. I’m still processing as I go,” he explained. “But I was able to take it one day at a time and just my teammates, my coaches, the whole entire Bills organization was always there for me, supporting me just like they are now. I’m just truly thankful, thankful, thankful that I’m a Buffalo Bill.”

Hamlin finished the night with five tackles and two passes defended to go along with his interception. He continues to put in the work after suffering a cardiac arrest at the end of the 2022 season. The medical emergency led to Hamlin seeing limited action during the 2023 season, but he was still named a finalist for the Comeback Player of the Year award.

What was Damar Hamlin’s focus heading into 2024 season?

Before the 2024 season kicked off, the Bills announced that Hamlin will be starting at safety. “He came back hungry,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said in August, per the Associated Press. “His focus is like, ‘I want to go win a job. I want to show I can prove that I can start and make plays.′ And so that’s been his focus, you know, ‘Micah [Hyde] and Jordan [Poyer] are gone. There’s new faces around. And don’t forget about me. I can still do it.’”