Andrew Buller-Russ
On January 2, 2023, the sports community witnessed a frightening sight, seeing Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suddenly collapse in the middle of an NFL game. Hamlin would require on-site CPR and later be taken to a hospital where he was administered oxygen to help get air to his brain.
A week after being admitted, Hamlin was discharged from the hospital, but his path to recovery wouldn’t end there. The 25-year-old still had more work to do before returning to the field.
Back in April, Hamlin was cleared to resume football activity for the first time and was ready to reveal what caused his collapse in the first place. Now, five months after his health scare, Hamlin was able to be a full participant in organized team activities (OTAs) for the first time since being hospitalized.
Hamlin had his helmet on and was back working with his teammates, in a big step toward making his NFL comeback. Yet, he has yet to put pads back on for full-contact practice. Thanks to ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg, we even got a few clips of Hamlin doing on-field drills with the Bills.
While every NFL team has its rivalries, it’s hard to imagine anyone not rooting for Hamlin’s safe return to the football field. Just try and envision the public response he’ll receive when he takes the field again for the first time with the Bills later this fall. THAT will be a scene to remember.
Related: Damar Hamlin, Tee Higgins hanging out months after frightening on-field moment
