Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin waves to the crowd at the Heart Dash sponsored by the American Heart Association at City Furniture on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Tamarac, FL.

Damar Hamlin Heart Dash 04

Damar Hamlin-backed HEARTS Act signed into law

Damar Hamlin’s inspiring story added another chapter this week with a new law to improve access to resources for heart health in the United States.

Nearly two years after the Buffalo Bills safety suffered cardiac arrest during a “Monday Night Football” game, President Joe Biden has signed the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, and Research, and AED Training in the Schools Act (HEARTS ACT) into law.

The HEARTS Act, advocated for and worked on by Hamlin alongside Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), was officially signed on Monday.

“It’s super dope, man. Shout out to Senator Schumer. Shout out to the Smart Hearts Coalition. Shout out to the American Heart Association and to my Chasing M’s foundation,” Hamlin told ESPN when the Senate passed the bill unanimously on Dec. 10. “We all came together to make some legacy off the field. I always wanted to, in my life, leave a legacy on the field, but to have a legacy and have meaning and purpose off the field.”

Hamlin, 26, has started 13 games this season for the AFC East champion Bills (12-3), registering 83 tackles and two interceptions.

Hamlin had his heartbeat restored on the field in Cincinnati after suffering cardiac arrest during a game against the Bengals on Jan. 2, 2023.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) passes against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Flacco cuts into Damar Hamlin’s Comeback POY lead

Joe Flacco already has cemented his status as a cult hero in Cleveland by leading the Browns to the franchise’s second playoff berth in 21 years, just five weeks after signing with the team.

In a typical year, a team’s fourth starting quarterback of the season accomplishing what Flacco has in just over a month might be enough to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. But as Flacco is aware of after having spent most of the season waiting for a call from an NFL team, this is anything by a typical year.

Flacco, 38, joined the Browns on Nov. 20. Thirteen days later, he was in the starting lineup for a loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

At the time, the Browns’ playoff hopes were sinking fast and Flacco was understandably not even on the board for Comeback POY at most sportsbooks. Then the turnaround started, with Flacco engineering wins over Jacksonville and Chicago.

Before Week 15, Flacco entered the Comeback POY picture at BetMGM at +1200 — immediately jumping to the second-shortest odds behind Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin at -600.

Hamlin, understandably, has been the odds-on favorite since opening at -350.

The Bills safety has remarkably returned to the active roster after nearly losing his life when he went into cardiac arrest following a tackle in a game against Cincinnati on Jan. 2. Hamlin has contributed mostly on special teams in five games for Buffalo this season, recording a pair of tackles while playing 17 defensive snaps and 94 on special teams.

Various players have made runs at Hamlin’s favored status throughout the season.

His odds moved as high as +100 before Week 4, with Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa rising to +160 following his injury-plagued 2022 season. Tagovailoa remains in the hunt for MVP honors, but his Comeback odds have steadily risen to +1200.

Like Flacco, Denver quarterback Russell Wilson was off the board for most of the season, entering the market at the book at +1200 ahead of Week 14, when Hamlin was -275. Wilson dipped as low as +4000 ahead of Week 16, but a loss to New England all but extinguished the Broncos’ playoff hopes and the nine-time Pro Bowl selection subsequently was benched this week.

Meanwhile, Flacco has continued his charge, throwing for 300-plus yards and multiple touchdowns in four consecutive games — all Browns victories.

Flacco was +400 to win Comeback POY entering Week 17, but a 37-20 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night catapulted Cleveland into the playoffs.

It also helped Flacco close the gap significantly, as he is now +115 at BetMGM. Meanwhile, Hamlin went from -450 before the start of Week 17 to -155 on Friday.

Hamlin is the -150 favorite at DraftKings, followed by Flacco (+100) and Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield (+1000). Wilson, who is no longer on the board at BetMGM, is still on the board but as a +30000 longshot at DraftKings.

Flacco’s spirited run up the board likely will fall short as Cleveland will close its regular season at Cincinnati in Week 18. However, a victory against a bitter rival to close with a five-game winning streak could further spark the debate.

The Bills have two games remaining, with Hamlin expected to continue his special teams role. The fact that he is even on an NFL roster — much less active on game days — has been a historic accomplishment.

Hamlin, 25, returned to the field for the preseason in August, nearly eight months after spending six days in the hospital following the incident on the field that nearly claimed his life. The third-year player was a full participant in team drills by June and cleared by doctors for full participation in July, going on to finish second on the team in preseason tackles.

Hamlin was a game-day inactive for much of the season before injury issues continued to mount in Buffalo’s secondary. He was on the active roster for the first time in Week 4, playing 18 snaps on special teams. Hamlin has since seen limited snaps on defense in two games while being active for four of the Bills’ games since Nov. 13.

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) warms up prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Bills S Damar Hamlin expected to be inactive for MNF

Damar Hamlin expects to be inactive Monday when the Buffalo Bills visit the New York Jets in the primetime Week 1 finale.

ESPN and NFL Network reported Hamlin wouldn’t get the call with the Bills opting for Taylor Rapp and Cam Lewis as the primary backups at safety.

Hamlin, 25, is healthy and cleared to play nine months after going into cardiac arrest on the field at Cincinnati in January.

Hamlin was second on the team in tackles in the preseason and Bills coach Sean McDermott celebrated naming him to the 53-man active roster for the 2023 season.

Last week at a charity event, Hamlin said he’ll never take being on the team for granted.

“Every year, so many people who don’t get the opportunity to make the team that you have to show respect for it when you do and you can never take it for granted because, the NFL, they say it stands for ‘not for long.’ So, to be able to go through my situation and then be able to come back and still show that I can still do it is super big and it means a lot to me and my family,” he said.

If starting safety Micah Hyde winds up as a pregame scratch due to his nagging back issues, Hamlin could still be active. Hyde and Jordan Poyer both missed games last year when Hamlin started 13 games.

–Field Level Media

Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin heads to the practice field for his first practice wearing pads after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game last season.

Bills S Damar Hamlin expects to play Saturday

Bills safety Damar Hamlin expects to play when Buffalo faces the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason matchup Saturday.

Doctors cleared Hamlin to fully participate in practice in July and the Bills said the third-year pro would graduate to game situations in preseason games.

Head coach Sean McDermott said the Bills are in new territory with Hamlin, who said he’s taking his return to the field “day at a time.”

Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on Jan. 2 during a game at the Cincinnati Bengals and was revived on the playing field by Bills training staff.

“So we’re just trying to do the best we can to be there for him,” McDermott said. “I try to keep a close eye on where he is and where he’s showing up and how he’s responding. And he’s done a great job.”

In June, Hamlin was a full participant in team drills for the first time during minicamp. Whether he’s able to establish a “normal” routine once the regular season begins isn’t clear, even to Hamlin.

“Man, sometimes it’s like normal don’t exist,” Hamlin said. “But it’s a super-blessed space. To be able to do what I love again. That’s kind of the normal thing.”

–Field Level Media

Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) was back on the practice field for organized team activities on Tuesday.

Bills S Damar Hamlin participates in on-field workouts

Hours after Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said safety Damar Hamlin would be held out of on-field work this month, No. 3 was on the field and participating in full-speed position workouts.

Hamlin defended receivers and participated in an interception drill among other work on Tuesday as the Bills had their second day of organized team activities. He was not wearing a helmet, which could meet McDermott’s label of “limited participant.”

“He has not been practicing. We’re going to just continue to take it one day at a time. We’re going to continue to support Damar in every way possible,” McDermott said.

In individual work on Tuesday, Hamlin also hit the blocking sled and participated in agility drills.

Hamlin, 25, said last month he plans to be part of the team in every way imaginable as he transitions from the recovery phase, approved by multiple physicians, of his Jan. 2 cardiac incident on the field at Cincinnati.

“I’m not going to get into specifics (on Hamlin’s recovery), where he is and what hour but he’s in the building and we’ll take it one day at a time,” McDermott said.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin warms up before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Bills S Damar Hamlin ‘fully cleared’ for football activities

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made the roll call for the start of offseason workouts and is fully cleared to participate in all football activities.

Hamlin was present on Monday, beating even his own expectations for an unbridled return to the team four months after going into cardiac arrest on the field in the Bills’ Jan. 2 game at Cincinnati.

“He’s seen three additional specialists, most recently on Friday, and they are all in agreement — not 2-1, or 3-1 or anything like that — they’re all in lockstep of what this was and that he’s cleared to resume full activity just like anyone else who is coming back from an injury or whatever,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Tuesday. “He’s fully cleared. He’s here, and he’s in a great head space to come back and make his return.”

Hamlin said the day before the Super Bowl in February that he was headed in the right direction and wasn’t planning to pause his NFL dreams.

After losing consciousness on the field, the Bills’ medical and training staff gave him CPR. He was rushed to the hospital and the University of Cincinnati medical staff was shocked by the recovery of the 25-year-old safety.

During his hospitalization and the two weeks after, Hamlin said his foundation that raises money for a community toy drive received more than $9 million in donations. The non-profit started in 2020 as a GoFundMe campaign seeking $2,500 for a toy drive.

Hamlin said in February he was committed to educating the public on the merits of CPR training and life-saving techniques, partnering with the American Heart Association on a national program to provide free tutorials and videos on emergency breathing and defibrillator use.

A sixth-round pick by Buffalo in 2021, Hamlin has recorded 93 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four passes defensed in 29 games (13 starts) with the Bills.

–Field Level Media

Feb 8, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin accepts the Alan Page Community Award during the NFLPA press conference at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Damar Hamlin wins coveted Alan Page Award

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was named the winner of the prestigious Alan Page Community Award on Wednesday.

Hamlin, who survived after falling into cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, won the award sponsored by the NFL Players Association. The honor goes to the player “who goes above and beyond to perform community service.”

Nearly $9 million of donations have poured into Hamlin’s “Chasing M’s” foundation since he fought for his life on the field in Cincinnati.

“Giving back to my community has always been a big part of who I am,” Hamlin said while accepting the award Wednesday. “Thankful to my father who is right here behind me, growing up and just watching him do community days in our community. I just was always waiting on my time when it came.”

Hamlin was one of five finalists for the award. The others were New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones, Washington Commanders offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr., Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White.

Hamlin received a $100,000 donation to his charity from NLFPA executive director DeMaurice Smith during the ceremony in Phoenix, four days before the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles meet in Super Bowl LVII in nearby Glendale.

“It’s a blessing to be a blessing,” Hamlin said. “With that being said, I plan to never take this position for granted, and always have an urgent approach in helping my community and helping communities across the world.”

After collapsing on the field due to cardiac arrest, Hamlin was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition and was placed on a ventilator. He was released nine days later.

Page, 77, was a star defensive tackle from 1967-81, primarily for the Minnesota Vikings. He won NFL Defensive Player of the Year and NFL MVP honors in 1971 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2023; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills fans cheer and hold a sign in support of safety Damar Hamlin (not pictured) before a NFL wild card game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Bills’ Damar Hamlin teams up with AHA on CPR challenge

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is teaming up with the American Heart Association on an initiative promoting CPR.

Hamlin had his life saved via CPR during a football game against the host Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. He has made a swift and miraculous recovery and hopes to inspire others during February, which is American Heart Month.

“I want to thank everybody for the love and support over these past few weeks,” Hamlin said a the video posted to his social media accounts. “As you know, CPR saved my life earlier this year on the field and CPR could easily save your life or someone you love.”

Hamlin announced the “Damar Hamlin #3forHeart CPR Challenge,” designed to teach people how to perform hands-only CPR.

The 3 stands for Hamlin’s jersey number as well as the number of steps in the challenge.

The steps are going to heart.org/3 to watch a video that teaches people how to give CPR; donating to the American Heart Association to fund CPR education and training; and sharing the challenge with three friends by using the #3forHeart hashtag on social media.

In his video, Hamlin challenges former first lady Michelle Obama, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and retiring football player Tom Brady.

After collapsing on the field due to cardiac arrest, Hamlin was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition and was placed on a ventilator. He was released nine days later.

“I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support and everything that’s just been coming in my way,” Hamlin said in the video.

–Field Level Media

Jan 22, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) passes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of an AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals skate past Bills to reach another AFC title game

Joe Burrow passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns and the Cincinnati Bengals rolled to a 27-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Orchard Park, N.Y., to return to the AFC Championship Game for the second straight season.

Joe Mixon rushed for 105 yards and one touchdown in the divisional round contest as third-seeded Cincinnati recorded its 10th straight victory. Ja’Marr Chase and Hayden Hurst had scoring receptions for the Bengals, who prevailed during game-long snowy conditions.

Josh Allen was 25-of-42 passing for 265 yards and one interception and also rushed for a touchdown for second-seeded Buffalo. Stefon Diggs had just 35 yards on four catches and the Bills were outgained 412 to 325 while seeing their eight-game winning streak come to an end.

The Bengals will visit the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday in a rematch of last season’s AFC title game. The Bengals won that contest 27-24 in overtime.

Burrow completed 23 of 36 passes while increasing his franchise record for playoff victories to five. Cincinnati racked up 30 first downs.

Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest 20 days earlier when these teams met in Cincinnati, attended the contest.

The Bengals led 24-10 after Mixon scored from the 1-yard line with 1:17 left in the third quarter. Mixon was initially ruled short of the goal line but Cincinnati challenged the result and the call was overturned by the replay review.

Cincinnati’s Evan McPherson made it a three-possession game with a 20-yard field goal with 11:22 left in the contest.

The Bills came up empty on their next drive when Allen’s fourth-and-6 pass from the Bengals’ 16 fell incomplete with 7:23 remaining. Allen was later picked off by Cam Taylor-Britt with 1:02 left.

Cincinnati had 18 first downs and outgained the Bills 274-135 in the first half to take a 17-7 lead at the break.

Burrow connected with Chase on a 28-yard touchdown pass on the game-opening drive and followed with a 15-yard scoring pass to Hurst on the second drive to make it 14-0 with 3:47 left in the first quarter.

Cincinnati 10 first downs in the opening period and Buffalo was outgained 160-8 without gaining a first down. But the Bills put together a 15-play, 75-yard drive in the second quarter with Allen scoring on a 1-yard sneak with 7:25 left in the half.

Burrow and Chase nearly teamed up for a 10-yard scoring pass late in the second quarter but a replay review displayed that Chase didn’t have possession of the ball while in the end zone. McPherson entered to kick a 28-yard field goal with 1:49 remaining.

Buffalo began the third quarter with a drive that took 7:18 but settled for Tyler Bass’ 25-yard field goal to trail 17-10.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) makes the tackle on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) during the first quarterat Paycor Stadium. The play led to Hamlin collapsing on the field, and being taken to the hospital in critical condition. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals WR Tee Higgins craves chance to see Damar Hamlin

Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins is hopeful of getting an opportunity to greet Damar Hamlin this weekend while the Bengals are in Buffalo to face the Bills in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs.

Hamlin tackled Higgins in the Jan. 2 game between the teams in Cincinnati and then the Buffalo safety went into cardiac arrest. He received CPR on the field, was rushed to a hospital and has since made a swift recovery.

That contest was postponed and now the two teams will share the field Sunday, just 20 days after the emergency situation.

Hamlin has been around the Bills’ facility in Orchard Park, N.Y., this week but it isn’t yet known if he will attend Sunday’s playoff game. He watched last weekend’s Bills-Miami Dolphins wild-card game from home.

“I’m pretty sure we’re just going to chop it up, laughs and giggles and just be happy to see him,” Higgins said of potentially getting to meet up with Hamlin.

While Hamlin was hospitalized in Cincinnati, Higgins was in communication with Hamlin’s family but he said he didn’t speak to Hamlin.

“Just letting his family do what he needs to do with all his loved ones and stuff like that,” Higgins said. “Hopefully I get to see him on the field Sunday and speak to him.”

Higgins does have a relationship with Hamlin. Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd holds an annual summer camp in the Pittsburgh area and Higgins attended as did Hamlin, who is also from the Pittsburgh area.

–Field Level Media