Damar Hamlin 'Guaranteed' to Return to the Field, Says NFL Players Union Doctor

Photo: Megan Briggs/GettyWhenDamar Hamlinexperienced cardiac arrest during a game in January, many fans wondered if the Buffalo Bills' safety would play again.This week, a NFL Players Association doctor said he believes the 24-year-old will likely return to the field after his recovery.“I don’t want to get into HIPAA issues, but I guarantee you that Damar Hamlin will play professional football again,” Dr. Thom Mayer, the medical director of the NFL Players Association, said during an appearance onSiriusXMDoctor Radio’sHeart to Heartshow.

Damar Hamlin Aims to 'Eventually' Return to NFL After 'Trauma' of Cardiac Arrest: 'In God's Hands'

Damar Hamlinhas his eye on returning to the football field, but in his first television interview sincesuffering sudden cardiac arrest, said it will be a gradual process.“Still working through things. I’mstill trying to processall the emotions, the trauma, that comes from dealing with a situation like that,” Hamlin, 24, toldGood Morning America’sMichael Strahan.For the Buffalo Bills safety,whose heart stopped mid-gameduring Monday Night Football on Jan. 2, the event was a traumatic experience.

Damar Hamlin and His First Responders Honored by NFL Before Super Bowl 2023

Photo: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Damar Hamlintook the field beforeSuper Bowl 2023for a touching moment with the first responders and healthcare professionals that saved his life last monthfollowing a cardiac arrest. Just prior to kickoff, the NFL honored the medical teams from the Cincinnati Bengals and University of Cincinnati Medical Center in a special tribute. “These heroes work every day to keep their community safe, and also led Damar Hamlin’s medical team during his recovery,” an announcer said.

Damar Hamlin Attends Buffalo Bills Practice Nearly 5 Months After Cardiac Arrest

Damar Hamlin.Photo: Greg M Cooper/AP/ShutterstockDamar Hamlinis taking his journey back to the football field one day at a time.Nearly five months aftercollapsing on the field during Monday Night Footballon January 2, the Buffalo Bills safety returned to his team’s practice facility to take part in some individual drill workouts.“I’m not going to get into specifics — where he is and what hour. But he’s in the building working, and we’ll take it one day at a time,” confirmed head coachSean McDermottat a news conference on Tuesday on the team’s Twitter account.

Damar Hamlin Celebrates Buffalo Bills' Wild Card Win with Simple, but Touching Emojis Message

Damar Hamlin.Photo: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty AlthoughDamar Hamlincouldn’t be on the field with his team, he’s still celebrating with them in spirit. The 24-year-old Bills safety shared a celebratory social media post following his team’s win against the Miami Dolphins during their AFC Wild Card matchup on Sunday. The Buffalo player posted “W 🫶🏾💙❤️"on Twitter, and prior to the game, Hamiln tweeted that his “heart is with my guys as they compete today!