Damar Hamlin is an American football safety. He is best known for his tenure with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. He began his professional career after being selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, initially serving as a backup. In 2022, he became a starter following an injury to Micah Hyde. On January 2, 2023, during a Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati, he suffered a cardiac arrest but miraculously made a full recovery after receiving prompt medical attention, including CPR and AED. He later returned to professional football. On August 12, 2023, he played his first NFL snap since his cardiac arrest in the Bills' preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Damar Hamlin is an American football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). In a January 2, 2023 game, he experienced a cardiac arrest. He returned to professional football and played his first NFL snap after the incident on August 12, 2023.
Damar Hamlin, born on March 24, 1998, bears the full name Damar Romeyelle Hamlin. He hails from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, USA. He is American by nationality and belongs to the African-American ethnicity. About his family, he was born to his mother, Nina Hamlin, and his father, Mario Hamlin. He was born when his mother was just 16 and his dad Mario was just 17. Hamlin attributes his success to the unwavering support of his mother, who played a pivotal role in his life. He has a brother named Damir Hamlin. His educational journey took him to Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, he pursued a bachelor's degree in communication at the University of Pittsburgh.
Damar Hamlin, initially recognized as a top cornerback from Central Catholic High School, garnered significant attention from college football programs such as Pittsburgh, Penn State, Ohio State, and Temple. He ultimately chose the Pittsburgh Panthers but faced an injury early on, leading to a medical redshirt exception in his freshman year. In his subsequent seasons, Hamlin transitioned to the safety position, accumulating impressive stats with 41 tackles and an interception in his redshirt freshman year, leading the Panthers' secondary with 77 tackles and two interceptions as a redshirt sophomore, and registering 84 tackles with 10 passes broken up in his redshirt junior year. In his final season, he served as a team captain, earned All-ACC second-team honors, and completed his journey with a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Pittsburgh.
Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills' sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, signed a four-year rookie contract with the team in May 2021. In his debut season, he played a reserve role and contributed with two tackles and two pass breakups in 14 games. The 2022 season saw him step into a starting role as a safety due to Micah Hyde's season-ending injury. He made notable contributions such as leading the team with 12 tackles and a sack against the New York Jets but was also involved in an incident where he was ejected for an illegal hit on Jakobi Meyers during a game against the New England Patriots.
Hamlin's season took a dramatic turn on January 2, 2023, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals when he collapsed on the field after tackling Tee Higgins. Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest but miraculously had his heartbeat restored on-field after receiving prompt medical attention. It was later revealed that he had experienced commotio cordis, an extremely rare and potentially fatal condition caused by a blow to the chest during a specific 40-millisecond span in the heart's electrical cycle.
On January 3, Damar Hamlin remained at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, sedated and on a ventilator, while his condition showed signs of improvement. His uncle reported that he was placed on his stomach to relieve lung pressure, and his condition was trending positively. By January 5, Hamlin was awake and improving, with the Bills announcing his remarkable progress. Trauma surgeon Dr. Timothy Pritts mentioned Hamlin's ability to communicate through writing and physical responsiveness. On January 6, he was able to breathe independently, and his breathing tube was removed, allowing him to speak. He later made his first public comments through social media. A week after his admission, Hamlin was discharged and transported to Buffalo General Medical Center.
Tests were conducted to determine his readiness for release, and he was eventually discharged to continue rehabilitation at home. He made a public appearance at a Bills' game and later appeared at Super Bowl LVII and met with President Joe Biden. In April 2023, he received full clearance to return to the NFL, with plans to resume his career. Numerous NFL players and teams expressed support for him, with the NFL community rallying behind him during his recovery. The Bills dedicated a game to him, and a kickoff return for a touchdown set the tone for a victory, subsequently eliminating the Patriots from playoff contention.
On August 12, 2023, Damar Hamlin made his NFL return in the Bills' preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, marking his first snap since his cardiac arrest. Although he played in all three preseason games, he initially sat out the first three regular-season games. However, he was activated for the fourth game against the Miami Dolphins, participating as a backup on special teams, with a total of 18 snaps during the match.
Damar Hamlin is a talented NFL player. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at $3 million. For the 2023 season, he is reported to earn a salary of $940,000, with a cap hit of $980,119, and a dead cap value of $80,238. His substantial wealth primarily derives from his successful NFL career, and he further boosts his income through brand promotions and commercials. He is known for endorsing the brand FashionNova and is actively involved in the fashion industry as the CEO of his brand, Chasing Millions. His brand promotions are notably featured on his Instagram posts, allowing him to enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
Damar Hamlin, a handsome NFL player, stands at the perfect height of 1.83 meters (6 feet) with a body weight of 91 kilograms (200 pounds). He possesses dark brown eyes and brown hair, complementing his attractive appearance. As an NFL athlete, he maintains his body a lot by doing frequent exercise. He has inked tattoos on his left hand, right leg, right forearm, and upper chest. Furthermore, he has a sports rugged beard with dreadlocked hair.
Damar Hamlin's football journey began at the collegiate level, where he played college football for the University of Pittsburgh. During his time at the University of Pittsburgh, Hamlin honed his skills and made a name for himself as a standout player. His college football career provided the foundation for his future success in the NFL, where he went on to become a notable safety, especially during his time with the Buffalo Bills.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, Damar Hamlin's dreams of playing in the NFL became a reality when he was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round. This draft selection marked the beginning of his professional football career, and he went on to make a significant impact as a safety for the Bills. Despite being a sixth-round pick, Hamlin's determination and skills allowed him to excel in the NFL, ultimately becoming a key player for the Buffalo Bills
In addition to his football career, Hamlin has ventured into the world of fashion entrepreneurship. His foray into the fashion industry began during his time at the University of Pittsburgh, where he founded his own fashion line, Chasing Millions. This dual pursuit of professional sports and fashion entrepreneurship showcases Hamlin's multifaceted talents and ambitions.
Since 2020, Damar Hamlin has been annually organizing charity Christmas toy drives in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. His 2020 campaign, which initially aimed for $2,500, saw a significant surge in donations following a medical emergency in January 2023. The campaign's contributions skyrocketed to over $8.7 million, prompting Chasing M's Foundation to consider reevaluating its operations and tax-exempt status due to the overwhelming support.