Bills’ Damar Hamlin Gets Honest About Major Award Snub

We’ll all remember what happened to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the 2022 campaign.

In the middle of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in December, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field and was hospitalized.

Football was obviously secondary at that moment. What mattered was Hamlin’s life.

Well, not only did Hamlin survive, but he astonishingly returned to the gridiron the following season when it was looking like he would never play football again.

Hamlin ended up playing in five games in 2023, logging a couple of tackles.

Given the circumstances surrounding Hamlin’s return to the field, many felt that he would win Comeback Player of the Year, but that award instead went to Joe Flacco, who piloted the Cleveland Browns to a playoff appearance after signing with the club in late November.

During a recent appearance on Maggie and Perloff, Hamlin discussed his award snub.

“I did at first, I ain’t gonna lie. I did a little bit,” Hamlin said when asked if he felt he deserved to win the award. “Just because I’m a competitor myself. Any competition you put me in, I would win. But I clapped for Joe as he went on stage and I clapped for him as he went off. … God had a reason for him getting that trophy. … I don’t want to discredit that any.”

Hamlin, who played his collegiate football at the University of Pittsburgh, was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

He appeared in 14 contests during his rookie campaign, tallying two tackles. Then, in 2022, Hamlin’s grew role significantly, as he played in 15 games and registered 91 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble before his season unfortunately ended.

We’ll see what Damar Hamlin can do in 2024. The most important thing is that he has his health.