NFLPA medical director makes shocking Damar Hamlin guarantee

NFL Players Association medical director Thom Mayer has offered a shocking and unexpected prediction regarding Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.

According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Mayer served as a guest on the SiriusXM Doctor Radio "Heart to Heart" program and was asked if Hamlin will ever play in the NFL again. 

"I guarantee you that Damar Hamlin will play professional football again," Mayer responded. That was the first time somebody associated with the league declared Hamlin "will" return to an active roster and a football field. 

Hamlin famously went into cardiac arrest during a "Monday Night Football" game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2 and received CPR on the Paycor Stadium turf. The 24-year-old was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he remained until he was able to relocate to Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute on Jan. 9. Hamlin was discharged from that medical facility two days later.

Hamlin became the subject of bizarre conspiracy theories after he attended the Jan. 22 playoff game between the Bills and Bengals at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium wearing a face covering, hood, and sunglasses inside of a private suite. Per The Associated Press (h/t NFL), he received the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award, which "recognizes one player who goes above and beyond to perform community service in his team city and/or hometown" each year, in Phoenix on Wednesday ahead of this Sunday's Super Bowl LVII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

"One of my favorite quotes: it's a blessing to be a blessing," Hamlin said while sharing a stage with his parents on Wednesday afternoon. "With that being said, I plan to never take this position for granted and always have an urgent approach to making a difference in the community where I come from and also communities across the world."

Mayer's comments suggest Hamlin has told somebody somewhere he wishes to eventually resume his career. It's unknown exactly when the second-year pro could be cleared for football-related activities.