In January 2023, Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, experienced cardiac arrest during a Monday night football game, an event that shocked the sports world. Fast forward less than two years, and Hamlin celebrated a significant milestone on Monday night as he recorded his first career interception, igniting excitement among his teammates and the Bills’ fans in attendance.
The interception occurred late in the second quarter during the Bills’ commanding 47-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Buffalo leading 20-3, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence attempted a downfield pass on first-and-10 aimed at rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Instead, Hamlin intercepted the ball at the Buffalo 40-yard line and returned it for a 19-yard gain.
The crowd at Highmark Stadium erupted in cheers as Hamlin celebrated in the end zone with his fellow defenders, receiving an outpouring of praise and congratulations from his teammates on the sidelines.
This achievement marked a triumphant moment not only for Hamlin and the Bills but also for the entire NFL community, which had previously watched in disbelief as he fought for his life on the field. Hamlin has not only survived but has also made a remarkable comeback as an NFL starter.
Following a challenging recovery period, Hamlin returned to the Bills last season in a limited capacity. He was on the roster during the 2023 season, participating in five games and recording two tackles.
Before Buffalo’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on September 8, Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced that Hamlin would reclaim his starting position, which he held prior to his cardiac event.
“What else can’t this young man do?” McDermott remarked on September 4. “He went through what he went through on the field, and to come back from that — it’s one thing to recover from an ACL or a broken bone. It’s another thing to come back from what he experienced. The decision to play contact football again at the NFL level is beyond impressive.”
Since then, Hamlin has started the first three games of the season, amassing 14 tackles in two games leading up to the matchup against Jacksonville. The significance of achieving his first career interception on the same “Monday Night Football” broadcast that previously showed his harrowing incident highlights his incredible journey back to the field.