Damar Hamlin plays in first game since frightening in-game collapse 8 months ago

Buffalo Bills defensive player Damar Hamlin played for the first time since a scary, in-game collapse on the field in early January 2023 took him out of action.

Hamlin collapsed at the end of a play from what was described as cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was subsequently put on a breathing apparatus in the hospital.

It was later revealed that Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice: once on the field at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati and once after he arrived at the hospital.

By mid-April 2023, Hamlin was cleared by medical professionals to return to professional football.

The 25-year-old safety was a full participant during the Bills' organized team activities and training camp before taking the field for Buffalo's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Hamlin was seen being strongly embraced by fellow players and training staff as he returned to the field in pregame warm-ups and received a huge hug from star wide receiver Stefon Diggs when he came out.

According to Fox News, Hamlin said he was "a little scared" and dealt with a "roller coaster of emotions."

"But, like I say, my strength is rooted in my faith, and my faith is stronger than any fear," Hamlin continued. "That’s what I want to preach up here, and that’s the message I want to spread on to the world. As long as your faith is stronger than your fear, you can get through anything. So that’s what I’m living by right now."

The defensive player noted that he is "trying to look forward," but it "creates a lot of anxiety, a lot of unnecessary feelings," he added. "If you stay in the moment, it allows you to process it when you’re there."

Hamlin statistically played just as well any other defensive player on the team in his return. He recorded two tackles, including a big stop on a fourth-down attempt by the Colts to win the ball back for his team.

Hamlin revealed that he suffered from a case of commotio cordis when he hit Bengals player Tee Higgins in the previous season.

According to the NIH, the condition is a "ventricular fibrillation precipitated by blunt trauma to the heart." The government agency also said that while it is "infrequent," it is "an important cause of sudden death in young athletes."

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