ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Damar Hamlin released a video Saturday saying he was grateful for the outpouring of support and vowed to reciprocate.
It was the first time the Buffalo Bills safety had spoken publicly since he went into cardiac arrest and required CPR midway through a game on Jan. 2 against Cincinnati.
Hamlin noted that he continues to make “a lot of progress” in his recovery. He said the “right time” had come to speak after the Bills’ season concluded.
The player recognized that he could not speak before, because he wanted to organize his ideas.
“It was just a lot to process myself, mentally, physically and even spiritually,” he said. “But I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the love, support, and everything I’ve seen on my way.”
Hamlin said he feels calmer now when he thinks about what happened on the field. He went down after performing what appeared to be a routine takedown on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who hit him in the chest as part of the play.
“I think what happened to me at Monday night’s game is a direct example of God using me as a means to share my passion and my love, straight from my heart, with the whole world,” he said.
“And now I am able to give more to children and communities around the world in need. And that has always been my dream,” she added. “That has always been what I have stood for and what I will continue to stand for.”
Hamlin appeared to have no problem speaking during the 5-minute video, titled “Thank You: A Message From Damar Hamlin” and posted via his Instagram account.
The video begins with Hamlin entering the box. He adjusts a jacket and takes a seat in what looks like one of the Bills’ boardrooms.
There is dim lighting and the word “Bills” appears behind him.
The player wears a white T-shirt with the name of his charitable foundation, Chasing Millions. He wears a gold chain with the initials “DM”.
The Bills did not immediately respond to a message asking when or where the video was taken.
On Jan. 20, Jordon Rooney, Hamlin’s representative for marketing affairs, said the 24-year-old faces a long road to recovery. At that time he still required oxygen and his heart was monitored regularly to rule out another problem.
Hamlin has been recovering at home since Jan. 11, when he was released from the hospital to continue his rehabilitation with the Bills. He then began making regular visits to team facilities and was healthy enough to attend Buffalo’s last game of the season, a 27-10 loss to the Bengals themselves last weekend in a round-up game. playoff division.
