Damar Hamlin has been named a finalist for one of the most prestigious awards in professional football.
Hamlin, who is a reserve cornerback for the Buffalo Bills, is one of five finalists for the AP Comeback Player of the Year. He’s considered for the award alongside Cleveland’s Joe Flacco, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield, Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa.
Hamlin was active for five regular season games this season, recording two tackles (two solo), and he’s played in both of the Bills’ playoff games — recording two tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs.
It’s a miracle he’s playing at all this season after he went into cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals last January.
He finished the season with two tackles, and he added two more during the Bills playoff run, but his impact on the field was secondary to his ability to simply step onto the field and play in a football game this season. It was a triumphant return for Hamlin and everyone involved in his recovery.
Hamlin recorded 91 tackles (63 solo), six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in 15 games in 2022 — starting every game in the Bills’ secondary from Week 3 onward. And he filled in admirably in an injury-stricken Bills secondary.
Hamlin originally committed to Pitt as a four-star recruit out of Pittsburgh Central Catholic, choosing Pitt over an offer from just about every major college in the country, and he would grow into one of the top safeties in college football during his time in Pittsburgh.
In five seasons at Pitt, he recorded 275 tackles (185 solo), 10 tackles for loss, six interceptions, 21 pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
With a successful return to the football field, despite not serving as a starter in the Bills’ secondary, he is likely considered the favorite to bring home the CPoY honor. The winner will be announced on Feb. 8 at the NFL Honors Red Carpet Show.
The show will air at 8 p.m. on NFL Network.
