It’s remarkable how far Damar Hamlin has come in the last couple of games — let alone the last couple of months.
Hamlin earned a starting spot in the Buffalo Bills’ lineup during the preseason, recorded his first career interception Monday night and drew the applause of just about every fan sitting in Highmark Stadium.
Hamlin picked off Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence Monday night, and an emotional Hamlin took a seat on the sideline — after finally letting go of the football — as the Bills fans cheered loudly for their starting safety. It was a storybook moment for Hamlin as he carried the ball along the sideline, greeted by all of his teammates.
Hamlin racked up five tackles (three solo), two pass breakups and an interception against the Jaguars. He’s recorded 19 tackles (14 solo), a tackle for loss, two pass breakups and an interception this season.
Hamlin served as a reserve safety for the Bills last season. He was active for five regular season games last season, recording two tackles (all solo) and played in both of the Bills’ playoff games — recording two tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished second (receiving more first-place votes than the eventual winner Joe Flacco) in the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award voting.
It’s a miracle he played at all last season — and was inserted into the starting lineup this season — after he went into cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football Game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January of 2023, with the Bills training staff saving his life on the field at Paycor Stadium.
He finished last season with two tackles and then played in 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. It was a triumphant return for Hamlin and all of those who were involved in his recovery.
But of course, Hamlin wanted to be more than just a good story — he wanted to get back to making an impact on the football field. And now he is.
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.
Damar 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.
