Damar Hamlin‘s journey with the Buffalo Bills took a dramatic turn on January 2, 2023, when he suffered a life-altering medical emergency during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The then-24-year-old safety collapsed on the field after a routine tackle on Tee Higgins, sending shockwaves through the NFL.
Diagnosed with cardiac arrest, Hamlin required immediate CPR and resuscitation from the Bills’ medical staff right there on the turf at Paycor Stadium. Fans watched in stunned silence as he was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he spent days in critical condition. It was a moment that transcended football, uniting players, teams, and fans in support of his recovery.
Fast forward to March 2025, and Hamlin’s story has taken a triumphant twist. After signing a one-year, $2 million contract extension with the Bills, he’s back where he belongs-and he couldn’t be happier. “It feels amazing to be back,” Hamlin said at a press conference.
“This is home, this is all I know as a pro. I’m connected to this place on a totally different level. This is where I want to spend my whole career if I can.” That connection runs deep, forged not just through his near-death experience but also through the resilience he’s shown since.
Hamlin’s Bills extension: Why he’s staying in Buffalo for 2025
Hamlin’s road back wasn’t easy. Cleared to play in April 2023, he spent that season rebuilding confidence, battling PTSD triggers, and proving he could still compete. By 2024, he was a full-time starter, racking up 89 tackles and two interceptions-his first coming on Monday Night Football against the Jaguars.
“Last year I was getting the training wheels off,” he reflected. “Coming back from literally dying on the field to playing a full season again, I feel like I had a lot of success.” Now, entering his fifth year with Buffalo, he’s not just surviving-he’s thriving.
The Bills Mafia and the organization have embraced him every step of the way. From the “Pray for Damar” rallying cry in 2023 to his emotional return to the field, Buffalo’s become more than a team-it’s family. Hamlin had other offers in free agency, but he chose familiarity and a shot at a Super Bowl. “We have the chance to win,” he said.
“That’s why I’m here.” His off-field impact, like pushing the HEARTS Act for AEDs in schools, only adds to his legacy. For Hamlin, sticking with the Bills isn’t just about football-it’s about staying where his heart beats strongest.
Read the full article here
