Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is poised for a triumphant return to the football field in the upcoming 2023 season. After a challenging journey of recovery, the 25-year-old NFL star is gearing up to play in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, as reported by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Friday via Twitter.
Rapoport tweeted, “With the #Bills ruling out S Jordan Poyer, the expectation is that Damar Hamlin makes his season debut vs the #Dolphins, sources say.” He added, “This spring, Hamlin told reporters, ‘My heart is still in the game. I love the game.’ On Sunday, he’s set to be back doing it.”
If Hamlin takes the field this weekend, it will mark a remarkable milestone in his journey, as it will be his first regular-season game since a terrifying incident on January 2 when he collapsed on the field due to a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game came to a standstill as medics rushed to provide CPR, and an air of apprehension fell over the stadium.
RJ McNair, a Bengals fan who witnessed the incident, recounted, “They were treating him for such a long time, and a hush spread across the crowd. You could see the looks on everyone’s face on the field. That’s when I knew this was a very bad thing.” McNair added, “We’re not Bills fans, but everyone was being very respectful. People were either hugging or praying or just watching silently. We may have wanted to win the game, but not like that. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.”
In a subsequent appearance at the NFL Honors ceremony a few weeks later, Hamlin expressed his gratitude to the first responders for their swift action and attributed his experience to “God’s plan.” He recognized that he now had a purpose greater than any game – raising awareness for heart health.
Months later, in a press conference, Bills general manager Brandon Beane announced Hamlin’s full clearance to return to the game. Beane stated, “He’s fully cleared, he’s here and … he’s in a great headspace to come back and make his return.”
Throughout his journey, Hamlin has made significant progress, both physically and mentally. In an interview shared exclusively with PEOPLE, he shared, “I’m just trying to focus on the right foot in front of the left,” emphasizing the importance of going with the flow and not overthinking emotions. He also noted his increasing physical strength as he smiled and mimicked lifting weights, symbolizing his remarkable recovery and determination to overcome adversity.
