Damar Hamlin Tears Up as He Honors First Responders Who Saved His Life at ESPYS: 'It's a Blessing'

Damar Hamlin.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Damar Hamlinis giving the spotlight to those who helped save his life. The Buffalo Bills safety, 25, got emotional on stage at Wednesday night’sESPY Awardsas he honored thefirst responders who helped save his lifeafter hiscardiac arrestduring a January game. Before handing them the Pat Tillman Award for Service, Hamlin told his story in a video, saying, “I didn’t wake up that morning in January thinking that I would need someone to save my life that day, and I doubt that the staff thought that they had to do what they did either.

Damar Hamlin Told His Teammates 'I Love You Boys' During Team Zoom Call, Bills Coach Says

Damar Hamlinwas able to tell his teammates he loves them on Friday.According toBuffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, the team got to talk to Hamlin, 24, for the first time since his cardiac arrest during a video call. McDermott said Hamlin “mainly” communicated with hand gestures during the call, but the safety was able to express his gratitude to teammates and Bills staff.“We were able to hear him say, ‘I love you boys,’ to the team and to the people in the room,” McDermott said on Audacy’s WGR 550 SportsRadio show,The Extra Point with Sal & Joe.

Damar Hamlin Visits Bills Teammates at Training Facility Less Than Two Weeks After Cardiac Arrest

Photo: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty AfterDamar Hamlinwas discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute this week, it was only time before he paid a visit to his teammates. The Bills safety, who had to beresuscitated on the fieldand was transferred to the hospital in Cincinnati incritical conditionon Jan. 2, was reacquainted with some of his teammates during a visit to the team’s Orchard Park practice facility on Saturday, a person with knowledge of Hamlin’s schedule toldThe Associated PressandESPN.

Damar Hamlin Was ‘a Little Scared’ to Practice in Pads, but Playing Football Again ‘Feels Amazing’

Photo:Joshua Bessex/AP/Shutterstock Joshua Bessex/AP/Shutterstock Damar Hamlinis back in action. Seven months after suffering cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game, the Buffalo Bills safety told reporters this week that he’s feeling all the emotions as he marks his return to the field. But on Monday, the 25-year-old donned pads and his helmet for the first time at practice, wherecameras caught himmaking an interception and then running the ball into the end zone.

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

Damar Hamlin.Photo: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty 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.