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