Damar Hamlin Given Green Light for Football Return Following Cardiac Arrest in January
Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, has been given the all-clear to return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game in January. Hamlin collapsed in the first quarter of a match against the Cincinnati Bengals after being struck in the chest by a helmet. The sudden, severe chest trauma led to a condition known as commotio cordis, which can cause dangerous heart fibrillations by disrupting the heart's electrical charge.
In his first interaction with journalists since the incident, Hamlin reflected on the gravity of his situation. "It was like dying in front of a global audience," he said. "Having lost many people in my life and knowing others who have experienced such loss, this incident has made me appreciate the blessing of still being amongst my loved ones, and them having me."
The 25-year-old has been seen at the Bills' training facility in Orchard Park, New York, taking part in voluntary offseason training this week. Bills General Manager, Brandon Beane, confirmed Hamlin's clearance for full participation.
Hamlin expressed gratitude for the excellent medical team that cared for him, likening their attention to that provided for their own children. The safety declared his heart still beats for the game and announced his return to the NFL. "I want to demonstrate that fear is a decision," he stated. "Even when the future is uncertain, you can keep moving forward. That's what I want to embody."
Beane revealed that Hamlin had consulted three separate specialists during the offseason, all of whom agreed that he can resume full activities as any other player recovering from an injury would. Beane expressed confidence in Hamlin's mental preparedness for his comeback.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed the team's joy at Hamlin's return. "We're thrilled for Damar. He's making progress step by step," McDermott said. "We'll support him mentally and spiritually as much as possible. We're happy that he's checked some major boxes so far and we're moving forward one day at a time."
The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology state that athletes who have been resuscitated from commotio cordis can return to play if no underlying cardiac abnormalities are detected through testing. Hamlin likely underwent numerous tests, such as electrocardiograms and echocardiograms, before being given the green light to resume training.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent, explained that this clearance signifies a few key things. "His heart function has returned to normal, he has no anatomical heart issues, and no underlying electrical problems. These conclusions were reached after extensive testing over the past three-and-a-half months," he explained.