Logan Reid
Damar Hamlin, an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. His heart stopped, and he had to be resuscitated twice—once on the field and again after being transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Despite initial critical condition and spending two days in a medically induced coma, Hamlin made a remarkable recovery and was discharged from the hospital nine days later. He later returned to professional football, starting for the Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins. Hamlin's collapse brought attention to the importance of CPR training and the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at sports events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Damar Romeyelle Hamlin |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1998 |
| Occupation | American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL) |
| Cardiac Arrest | Suffered a cardiac arrest on January 2, 2023, during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals |
| Hospitalization | Hospitalized in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center |
| Recovery | Discharged from the hospital on January 11, 2023, and has since made a remarkable recovery |
| Social Media Claims | Social media posts falsely claimed that Hamlin had died, which were debunked by FactCheck.org |
| Impact | Increased interest in AEDs and CPR training, with people sharing stories of how Hamlin's experience motivated them to take action |
| Return to Football | Made a return to football, starting for the Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins on September 12, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest
On January 2, 2023, Damar Hamlin, an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin's heart was restarted with CPR and a defibrillator, and he was hospitalized in critical condition.
The incident brought attention to the issue of cardiac arrest in sports and raised questions about the risk of heart failure among Black athletes, as Hamlin is Black. Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of sudden death in young, competitive athletes, and Black youth are much more likely than white youth to die suddenly from heart failure. In fact, Black athletes were nearly five times more likely to die from heart failure than white athletes, according to one study.
The NFL and other sports organizations have used Hamlin's experience to educate people about cardiac arrest and how to save lives. The NFL has invested over $1 million to provide CPR education and increase access to AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in NFL markets. Hamlin himself has handed out AEDs to help resuscitate heart attack victims during his CPR Tour.
The incident also had a significant impact on the availability of AEDs in communities. For example, a Buffalo Bills season ticket holder, Russ Lyons, reached out to the team to offer his assistance in the wake of Hamlin's cardiac arrest. He has since helped to organize CPR training and purchase an AED for his daughter's 500-member youth soccer league. Similarly, Laura Tomlin, the mother of a high school football player, purchased an AED for her son's team after watching Hamlin's collapse on TV.
Hamlin was released from the hospital nine days after his cardiac arrest and eventually returned to professional football. His recovery was considered remarkable, and he was able to resume playing football just four months after the incident.
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Hamlin's recovery
Damar Hamlin's recovery is considered one of the most remarkable stories in American sports history. After suffering a cardiac arrest and collapsing on the football field on January 2, 2023, Hamlin spent two days in a medically induced coma on a ventilator. He was hospitalized in critical condition and his heart had to be restarted with CPR and a defibrillator.
On January 4, Hamlin woke up and was able to communicate by writing on paper or nodding and shaking his head. He asked the doctors if his team had won the game, to which they responded, "Yes, Damar, you won the game of life." By January 6, Hamlin was able to breathe on his own and speak, and he was transferred to Buffalo General Medical Center on January 9. He was discharged from the hospital on January 11, 2023, nine days after being admitted, and continued his rehabilitation at home.
In the days and weeks following his collapse, Hamlin received an outpouring of support from fans, fellow players, coaches, and executives. His 2020 GoFundMe campaign for the Chasing M's Foundation toy drive received a massive influx of donations, growing from its initial $2,500 goal to over $8.7 million as of January 12, 2023. Hamlin's cardiac arrest also sparked increased interest in CPR training and AED (automated external defibrillator) access, with many people taking steps to ensure that coaches and sports teams had access to this potentially life-saving equipment.
On January 14, Hamlin visited the Bills' facility, and he attended their home playoff game against the Bengals on January 22. He expressed his intent to play again early in the recovery process and was back at offseason workouts in April 2023. Hamlin participated in full pads during OTAs in July and made his first game appearance in the preseason on August 12, making three tackles against the Indianapolis Colts.
Nearly twenty months after his near-death experience, Hamlin made a miraculous return to football, starting for the Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football in September 2024.
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False claims of Hamlin's death
Damar Hamlin, an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. He was hospitalized in critical condition and his heart was restarted with CPR and a defibrillator. Hamlin's cardiac arrest sparked conversations about the importance of CPR training and access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
In the wake of Hamlin's cardiac arrest, there was an increase in rhetoric and disinformation from well-known anti-vaxxers, including Charlie Kirk and Drew Pinsky. They made unfounded claims about Hamlin's cardiac arrest and COVID-19 vaccines, falsely asserting connections between the two. These claims were not supported by any medical evidence and were considered false and misleading by experts. It is important to rely on official sources and medical professionals for accurate information, especially in situations involving public health and personal well-being.
Social media platforms, including Reddit and Twitter, played a significant role in spreading both support for Hamlin and, unfortunately, misinformation. While many fans and fellow athletes offered their prayers and well-wishes, some spread false information about Hamlin's condition. Some users on Reddit, for example, claimed that Hamlin had died, which caused confusion and distress among those following the situation. These claims were not supported by official sources or the medical team treating Hamlin.
The Buffalo Bills and the NFL quickly worked to dispel any false information and provided regular updates on Hamlin's condition. They emphasized his progress and improvement, assuring the public that Hamlin was responsive and showing positive signs of recovery. The Bills' dedication to transparency and accuracy in their communications helped to counter the false claims circulating online. Hamlin himself also played a role in dispelling falsehoods by releasing statements and updates through his social media accounts, keeping the public informed of his ongoing recovery.
In summary, the false claims of Hamlin's death were spread by a small number of individuals on social media platforms, taking advantage of a tragic situation to push their own agendas. The football community, including the Buffalo Bills, NFL players and fans, came together to offer support and prayers for Hamlin, drowning out the false claims with a wave of positivity and accurate information. Hamlin's recovery and return to professional football served as a testament to the power of factual information and the resilience of the human spirit.
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Hamlin's return to football
Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety, suffered a cardiac arrest during a game on 2 January 2023. His heart stopped and he was clinically dead, but CPR and a defibrillator were used to restart his heart. Hamlin was released from the hospital nine days later and eventually returned to professional football.
In the immediate aftermath of his collapse, Hamlin was sedated and intubated while listed in critical condition. He showed remarkable improvement over the next few days, and by 5 January, he was awake and doing better. He was able to communicate by writing on a clipboard, asking who had won Monday night's football game. Trauma surgeon Timothy Pritts said that Hamlin was able to follow commands and had full control and feeling in his extremities.
On 6 January, Hamlin's breathing tube was removed, and he was able to breathe and speak on his own. He was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on 9 January and returned to Buffalo to continue his treatment and rehabilitation. He was flown to Buffalo General Medical Center, where he underwent further tests to determine if he could be released.
Hamlin's return to health and football was a miracle. He was expected to be the Week 1 starter for the Buffalo Bills, marking a remarkable turnaround from his near-death experience. Hamlin's recovery had a profound impact on the football community and beyond, with increased awareness and training in CPR and the use of AEDs (automated external defibrillators).
The Buffalo Bills and the NFL family showed their support for Hamlin throughout his recovery. Teammate Josh Allen spoke of the "spiritual" nature of Hamlin's recovery and their eventual return to football.
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The impact of Hamlin's cardiac arrest
Damar Hamlin, an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on 2 January 2023. The incident, which occurred after Hamlin made a tackle, left him in a critical condition and hospitalised.
In the aftermath of Hamlin's cardiac arrest, there was a notable increase in interest in AEDs and CPR training across the nation. The American Heart Association (AHA) reported a significant spike in views of its hands-only CPR webpages, with a 600% increase in the days following the incident. This led to approximately 3 million people watching the AHA's video on performing hands-only CPR by April. Hamlin himself also played a role in promoting CPR and AED education, working with the AHA to raise awareness.
The NFL also recognised the impact of Hamlin's experience and collaborated with the AHA to provide CPR and AED training at the Super Bowl and the April draft. This initiative resulted in over half of the NFL teams providing training for their staff or local communities, with approximately 18,000 people receiving hands-only CPR training. Additionally, Hamlin's cardiac arrest influenced state and federal legislation. For example, New York mandated that all camps and youth sports organisations develop AED plans and have trained staff, while Ohio renewed its efforts to require AEDs in schools.
The incident also had a personal impact on individuals, such as Buffalo Bills season ticket holder Russ Lyons, who was motivated to improve his community's access to CPR training and AEDs. Similarly, Laura Tomlin, who watched Hamlin's collapse with her family, purchased an AED for her son's high school football team and encouraged her children to get CPR-trained.
Overall, the impact of Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest was profound and widespread, leading to increased awareness, education, and legislative changes surrounding cardiac arrest, CPR, and AEDs. Hamlin's survival and subsequent recovery served as a powerful catalyst for positive change and potentially saved countless lives.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Damar Hamlin did not die in the hospital. He was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on January 9, 2023, and continued treatment at the Buffalo General Medical Center. He was discharged from there on January 11.
Yes, Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during an NFL game on January 2, 2023, after tackling a Bengals receiver. He was resuscitated on the field and his heartbeat was restored.
Yes, Damar Hamlin has made several public appearances after his cardiac arrest. He visited the Bills' facility on January 14, 2023, and attended their home playoff game on January 22, 2023. He also shared a "thank you" video on his Instagram page on January 28, 2023.
Damar Hamlin has made a remarkable recovery and was medically cleared to return to football. He was the starting safety for the Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins on September 12, 2024.
