Damar Hamlin Wins NFL's Adversity Award Months After Mid-Game Cardiac Arrest

Mar. 16, 2025

Damar Hamlin.Photo: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 19: Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills after a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium on September 19, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Damar Hamlinwon the NFL’s adversity award Monday, four monthsafter an on-field cardiac arrestshocked viewers and changed the course of his life.

Hamlin, 25, said last month that he plans on playing football again. The Buffalo Bills said doctors had “fully cleared” the NFL safety to return to football just months after his frightening collapse live onMonday Night Football.

“This was a life-changing event, but it’s not the end of my story,” Hamlin said after the Bills' announcement. “I plan on making a comeback to the NFL.”

Damar Hamlin.Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire/Getty

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 02: Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) waits for the game to start during the Buffalo Bills versus Baltimore Ravens NFL game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Hamlin ultimately recovered, leaving the hospital nine days later and finding a new calling as a heart health advocate.

Since the incident, the NFL star spoke at the NFL Honors awards in February, telling the audience his new “purpose” to raise awareness about heart health is “greater than any game in this world.”

Kevin Dietsch/Getty

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin tours the U.S. Capitol prior to an event with lawmakers to introduce the Access to AEDs Act on March 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. Bills' safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game, helped introduce the bill that would improve students' access to defibrillators in public and private elementary and secondary schools. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Then in March, the Bills safety met withPresident Joe Bidenat the White house and later appeared in front of Congress to speak in support of the Access to AEDs Act, which aims to help place more defibrillators in schools.

“I feel like this whole situation, everything that happened to me, was all a part of a bigger plan and a bigger picture,” Hamlintoldthe American Heart Association earlier this month.

“God seen that my purpose is bigger than just football. Way bigger than just football,” Hamlin added. “I always knew that. I’ve always felt like I was more than just an athlete and a football player and he gave me a purpose and something to stand for that’s way bigger than just a game.”

source: people.com

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