Members of the Buffalo Bills coaching staff were honored as recipients of the Pat Tillman Service Award during the 2023 ESPYS after their quick call to action earlier this year saved the life of safety Damar Hamlin.
The story is one NFL fans will never forget when Hamlin lay on the turf of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Paycor Stadium for what we later learned was cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest by Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. , in a return.
Fearing the worst, the world watched as medical personnel rushed to Hamlin’s aid. His heart had stopped, but after administering CPR and a defibrillator, his heart started beating again and he was rushed to UC Medical Center.
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Damar Hamlin and the Buffalo Bills coaching staff onstage at The 2023 ESPYS on July 12, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
The ESPYS on Wednesday night had Hamlin present the award after an emotional tribute to the staff that was narrated by the No. 3 himself. When it finished, Hamlin wiped away tears as he walked to the microphone to announce that the coaching staff for the Bills would accept their well-deserved award.
Led by Denny Kellington, the Bills assistant athletic trainer credited with saving Hamlin’s life after he collapsed on the field, the coaching staff walked onto the stage.
That’s when Hamlin broke down even more.
BILLS’ DAMAR HAMLIN APPEARS IN OTAS ALMOST FIVE MONTHS AFTER CARDIAC ARREST
He hugged all the trainers and even though his back was turned to the cameras, it was clear he was very excited to meet all of them at that moment.
Damar Hamlin, center, and the Buffalo Bills athletic training staff, recipients of the Pat Tillman Service Award, attend the 2023 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theater on July 12, 2023. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Because of his actions, Hamlin isn’t just alive: he’s back on the football field. Hamlin was caught in his No. 3 jersey practicing with his teammates before training camp began. General manager Brandon Beane revealed that Hamlin was cleared for full football activities in April.
«He’s completely clear, he’s here and he’s got the mentality, he’s in a big head space, to come back and make his comeback,» Beane said at the time.
It’s truly a miraculous and inspiring story that Hamlin has embraced and somehow turned into a positive on and off the field.
Damar Hamlin speaks onstage at The 2023 ESPYS held at the Dolby Theater on July 12, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
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But Hamlin always knows that things could be completely different if it weren’t for those who acted quickly when he needed it most.