Damar Hamlin practices as full participant for first time since cardiac arrest
Damar Hamlin made the brave announcement back in April that he would be attempting to return to the NFL after suffering cardiac arrest in a game against Cincinnati last season that nearly cost him his life. Now, as OTAs continue for the Buffalo Bills, Hamlin appears to be making the right steps towards achieving that goal.
In clips shared by Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN, an excited Hamlin can be seen out on the field moving around and running drills. Based on the latest from the franchise, Hamlin was a full-participant in the practice which, considering what happened back on January 2nd, is a phenomenal step of its own.
In another tweet from Getzenberg, she referenced how Buffalo GM Brandon Beane shared his pride in Hamlin. He added that Hamlin was ‘mentally ready to go’ with this first step as he now faces the next challenge of putting on the full pads at some point.
In a press conference back at the end of April, Hamlin shared his goal of making a full and complete comeback to the NFL.
“Over these last few months, I’ve been on a journey. I’ve seen some of the top professionals across the country. Their answers to me were pretty much all the same,” stated Hamlin. “This event was life-changing but it’s not the end of my story. So I’m here to announce that I plan on making a comeback to the NFL.”
In that same press conference, he labeled what took place in Cincinnati that night was commotio cordis. It’s a specific, rare type of cardiac arrest caused by a precise chest blow at the wrong moment.
Again, Hamlin became a huge story across the world as he fought for his life. His progressive steps ever since have been well-documented as each has been more inspirational than the last. Still, considering the other outcomes, seeing him back on the field, repping his No. 3 jersey, and wearing a helmet again in preparation to play the game that he loves might be the sorest sight yet when it comes to the Bills safety.
NFL grows cardiac arrest coalition following Damar Hamlin emergency
The NFL has expanded its coalition of leagues other entities to prevent cardiac arrest, the league announced on Thursday. The move comes months removed from Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffering cardiac arrest during a Thursday Night Football game on Jan. 2.
Called ‘The Smart Hearts Sports Coalition’, the group has expanded from 11 original members to 26. New members of the coalition include the WNBA, NWSL, United States Tennis Association and the National Council of Youth Sports. NFL owners formed the group in March and Hamlin’s own foundation was one of the 11 original members.
The goal is to advocate for every state in the country to enact policies that could save lives in the event of a sudden athlete cardiac arrest.
“One of the sort of silver linings of what ends up happening in these national moments is that you end up educating millions of people,” said Anna Isaacson, senior vice president of social responsibility for the NFL to ESPN. “What we do here at the league is sort of say, ‘OK, like that was a really, a frightening moment. A scary moment and an unreal, surreal moment. But what good can come from that now that everybody is talking about this?’”
The coalition is also offering grants to teams for CPR training and to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Further funding will go to offer similar programs and resources in non-NFL markets around the country.
So far three states — Indiana, Kentucky and New Mexico — have put laws on the book to improve emergency heart care. Three others — Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania — are considering measures and being lobbied while legislatures are still in session.