An emotional Damar Hamlin paid tribute to the Buffalo Bills training staff that saved his life as he presented them with an ESPY Award for Service on Wednesday night.
Less than seven months after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a Monday Night Football game for the Buffalo Bills, Hamlin – now 25 – is preparing for his near-miraculous return to the NFL.
That incredible return to fitness, and the fact Hamlin is alive today, is solely down to the medical staff that treated him in the immediate aftermath of the incident in Cincinnati.
In Hollywood on Wednesday, the Bills training staff, led by Denny Kellington, were awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2023 ESPYS, with Hamlin in attendance to present the trophy on stage at the Dolby Theatre.
There was a moving moment in the build-up to the award being handed to the team, as Hamlin stood on stage and struggled to keep his emotions in check.
Damar Hamlin wipes away his tears as he is overcome with emotion at the ESPY Awards
The Buffalo Bills safety was presenting an award to the medical team who saved his life
The Bills team who treated Hamlin put their arms around him on stage at the Dolby Theatre
Hamlin (right) watches on less than seven months after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field
As he gathered himself, the Buffalo Bills safety was given a standing ovation by the crowd, with the camera immediately cutting to Hamlin’s crying family in the crowd, as well as fellow NFL star Travis Kelce.
When the applause had eventually quietened, Hamlin was able to say welcome the team onto the stage, where they proceeded to hug the player in front of the audience.
The touching moment left few dry eyes in the house, and the emotion is only going to continue as Hamlin nears his unlikely return to the field in the 2023 season.
Hamlin greets NFL rival – and friend – Travis Kelce ahead of the ceremony in Hollywood
Hamlin poses for a photo with the Pat Tillman Service Award at the 2023 ESPYs in LA
The 25-year-old is practicing with his teammates and is expected to return as normal ahead of the new season, although it is unclear how the Bills staff will deal with his gametime.Â
In recent weeks, Hamlin has been on a ‘CPR Tour’ around America that began in Buffalo in early June – the player’s way of trying to give back to the first responders who used CPR to save his life.
‘I just want to be able to … take a nation of bystanders and turn them into lifesavers and give them a true superpower,’ Hamlin said.Â
‘To be able to save a life is a true superpower. Instead of people standing by not knowing what to do, I´m just trying to create more people who do know what to do. This weekend specifically, people in my community.’
