Bills’ Damar Hamlin set to start for the first time since his heart stopped temporarily on the field more than 1.5 years ago

Damar Hamlin is all set to be a starter in the NFL once again- two years after suffering a cardiac arrest on the football field.

Bills’ Damar Hamlin set to start for the first time since his heart stopped temporarily on the field more than 1.5 years ago

Damar Hamlin (Via Imago)

These past couple of years have been extremely tough and concerning for Damar Hamlin as he recovers from the serious cardiac arrest that he suffered right on the field two years ago, during a match against the Cincinnati Bengals. But after spending his time away to recover his health– both mentally and physically, the safety is all set to make a return in the NFL this season. 

Head coach Sean McDermott officially confirmed the news about Hamlin’s return after he was added to the active roster. They announced on Wednesday that Hamlin will start in week 1 of the 2024 season against the Arizona Cardinals. 

YouTube video
He basically went through what he went through on the field, you guys have written about that over and over, and to come back from that. It’s one thing to come back off of an ACL or a broken bone. It’s another thing to come back off of what he came back off of, right? Let alone just to decide to play football and contact football in full pads at the NFL level. I don’t think I need to say anything more. It’s incredible.
McDermott said.

Interestingly, Hamlin’s best season playing in the league was the same when he suffered a cardiac arrest. He recorded 91 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the 13 games he started that year. 

FS Video
RELATED
Patrick Mahomes, who has 3 rings, gets crowned as the “best quarterback ever” by Chris Russo over Tom Brady 
Chris Russo picked Patrick Mahomes as the 'best quarterback ever' over Tom Brady 

Damar Hamlin’s path to recovery after cardiac arrest

Following the 2022 season, Hamlin experienced an episode of commotio cordis at the young age of 24 in week 17 against the Bengals. This is a condition in which, the rhythm of the chest is disrupted after getting a blow to the chest and he sustained it courtesy of a tackle resulting in him being carted off the football field and rushed to the hospital. 

Damar Hamlin
Damar Hamlin (Via New York Times)

The incident happened early in January and by April 2023, he was cleared to play football. The Bills decided not to rush the safety and he appeared in three preseason and five regular season games. Unfortunately, he logged only two tackles and also fell into the trap of the opponent’s fake punk attempt in the divisional round match. 

The cardiac arrest certainly wasn’t a setback for a lifetime for Hamlin as he is quite young at 26. Therefore, he has a long career ahead of him which he can turn into a stable and more established one.

In case you missed: