Damar Hamlin updates: Payments security releases video to talk publicly for first time since cardiac arrest

In a six-minute video launched Saturday, Buffalo Payments security Damar Hamlin spoke at-length for the primary time since struggling a near-fatal cardiac arrest after making a deal with throughout a Week 17 sport towards the Cincinnati Bengals. Within the introduction to the video, Hamlin explains that he waited to talk till the time was proper, explaining that his scenario was lots to course of mentally, bodily, and spiritually whereas additionally citing the tip of the Payments’ season.

Hamlin started by expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the help that has been prolonged in the direction of him, earlier than thanking an intensive quantity of individuals and teams.

“What occurred to me on Monday Night time Soccer, I really feel, is a direct instance of God utilizing me as a vessel to share my ardour and my love instantly from my coronary heart with all the world,” Hamlin stated. “And now I can give it again to children and communities all internationally who want it probably the most. That is all the time been my dream, that is all the time been what I’ve stood for and what I’ll proceed to face for.”

Hamlin then thanked the Payments’ coaching, athletic, and medical staffs in addition to the staffs of UC Medical Middle and Buffalo Basic Hospital, all of whom had been concerned together with his life-saving remedy and subsequent care. Hamlin then thanked his mom and father, his little brother, and different household and pals earlier than thanking the Payments’ fanbase.

“Ever since I turned a Buffalo Invoice, it has been nothing however real love and help. Not even just for me, however everybody’s scenario,” Hamlin stated. “It doesn’t matter what it was, Payments Mafia jumped behind it and gave 110% help, love, regardless of the scenario. With this taking place to me, I did not really feel something in need of the love. And it actually helped me keep inspired to get via the hardest moments and the hardest instances. I actually cannot thanks sufficient.”

Hamlin then thanked his Payments teammates earlier than happening to increase his due to town of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the remainder of the NFL for the outpouring of help that was proven within the days and week of soccer that adopted Hamlin’s medical episode.

“You place humanity above workforce loyalty. You confirmed the world unity over division,” Hamlin stated. “I’m not shocked by it, however I’m deeply grateful and I will probably be without end grateful and indebted to that.”

Lastly, Hamlin thanked the kids who despatched him letters and items whereas he was recovering, and he additionally thanked those that donated to Chasing M’s Basis. The Basis, which Hamlin began previous to his NFL profession to present again to kids in his native Western Pennsylvania, acquired almost $8 million in donations after his near-fatal damage.

“That is just the start of the affect that I needed to have on the world,” Hamlin stated in closing. “And with God’s steering, I’ll proceed to do great and nice issues. I could not do that with none of the help and the love, and I am unable to wait to proceed to take you all on this journey with me.”

Halfway via the primary quarter of the Payments’ Week 17 sport towards the Bengals, Hamlin collided with Tee Higgins as he tackled the Bengals’ star vast receiver after a achieve of 13 yards. Hamlin instantly collapsed upon standing, prompting the Payments’ medical workers to manage emergency medical remedy. Hamlin was taken off the sphere by way of ambulance and transported to UC Medical Middle after receiving CPR and an automatic exterior defibrillation (AED), the place he remained in important situation for a while. The sport was deserted and by no means resumed.

Hamlin, a sixth-round decide within the 2021 NFL Draft, began 13 video games this season rather than an injured Micah Hyde.