Photo: The Canadian Press
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Damar Hamlin released a video Saturday saying he was grateful for the outpouring of support and vowing to return it, marking the first time the Buffalo Bills safety has spoken publicly since he suffered a heart attack. arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati on January 2.
Noting that he continues to make “great progress” in his recovery, Hamlin said now is the “right time” to speak since Bills’ season is over and because he needs time to recover and collect his thoughts.
“It was just a lot to process in myself — mentally, physically, even spiritually. It was just a lot to process,” he said. “But I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the love and all the support and everything that just came my way.”
Afterward, Hamlin said he had come to terms with what happened on the field when he collapsed after making what appeared to be a routine fight with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who hit Hamlin squarely in the chest.
“What happened to me on Monday Night Football I feel is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and love directly from my heart with the whole world,” he said.
“And now I can give to children and communities around the world who need it most. And that’s always been my dream,” he added. “I have always stood for that and I will continue to stand for that.”
Hamlin didn’t seem to have trouble speaking during the 5 1/2-minute video, titled: “Thank You: A Message from DaMar Hamlin,” posted on his Instagram account.
The video opens with Hamlin walking into view, putting on a jacket and sitting down in what appears to be one of the Bills team meeting rooms. The room is dimly lit with the word ‘bills’ depicted behind it.
Hamlin wears a white T-shirt with the name of his charitable foundation, Chasing Millions, printed on the front and a gold chain with the initials “DM” hanging around his neck.
Bills did not immediately respond to a message about when or where the video was taken.
On January 20, Hamlin’s marketing representative Jordan Rooney said the 24-year-old faces a long recovery, currently still requiring oxygen and having his heart regularly monitored to ensure there are no setbacks.
Hamlin is recovering at home after being released from the hospital on Jan. 11 to continue his rehab with the Bills. He then began making regular visits to the team’s facility and was healthy enough to attend the Bills’ season-ending 27-10 loss to the Bengals in a divisional playoff game last weekend.
Hamlin spends most of the video giving thanks as he lists his family, teammates, training staff and medical staff at both the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Buffalo General Medical Center, where he shared his recovery.
He thanked the Bengals and players around the league for their support, “putting team loyalty aside.”
“You put humanity above team loyalty. You showed the world unity instead of division,” Hamlin said. “I’m not surprised by it, but I’m deeply grateful and will be forever grateful and indebted for it.”
He also thanked those who have donated more than $9 million to his charity in the past four weeks.
“Although I am so grateful to everyone, I know that it is not enough to just be grateful. This is just the beginning of the impact I wanted to have on the world,” Hamlin said in closing the video, making a heart sign with his hands.
“I couldn’t have done this without this support and love,” he continued. “And I can’t wait to continue taking you on this journey with me.”
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