Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin suffered a terrifying cardiac arrest on the field during a Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati. Since then, teammates, family, and fans have shown incredible support for the 24-year-old.
While much has been made of the injury, the Hamlin family has continued to lean on the strong Christian faith that they and Damar held closely. Through the NFL, the Hamlin family made a statement to thank those who are showing support for their son.
“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time. We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.”
A statement from the family of Damar Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/I0QFQehUc0
— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2023
The Hamlin family has always been of the utmost importance to Damar, who spoke about that in an interview shared by Henry McKenna on Twitter.
“I’m big on my family unit. My mom, my dad, my little brother — that’s pretty much my whole world. …. Any other thing going on in my life revolves around them.”
#Bills safety Damar Hamlin was asked what's important to him aside from football.
Beautiful moment.
"I'm big on my family unit. My mom, my dad, my little brother — that's pretty much my whole world. …. Any other thing going on in my life revolves around them." pic.twitter.com/wLuY8qRyLi
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) January 3, 2023
Hamlin also echoes that sentiment in an interview with WIVB where he offered a bit more insight into his home life.
“I’m extremely close to my family. My mom, she was sixteen when she had me and I just try to think about when I was sixteen years old and I just couldn’t imagine having a little boy… It was probably so stressful but both of my parents had my young, at sixteen and pretty much since that point they put everything they had into me to get me to where we are right now today…
“It was us at first, just me and my mom and my dad and they taught me hard work. They taught me you gotta work for everything you and basically they just taught me all of the lessons of life.”
Damar’s love for family was a direct influence on his decision to play college football for his hometown school, Pittsburgh, a choice that he attributes to his little brother Damir.
“I’ve got a baby brother [Damir Hamlin], he’s six years old right now and that was the biggest reason probably why I chose Pitt. Just staying close to my family and then having my little brother around so I could be a role model for him and just show him examples of life that I’ve never really had.”
Faith has also played a huge role in Damar’s life. Back in his days at the University of Pittsburgh, he had this to say according to CBN News.
“My faith is in God. So whatever He has planned for me, that’ll be it.”
His teammates took that statement to heart on Monday night, as they, along with Bengals players, gathered in prayer as Hamlin was taken from the stadium in an ambulance.
Central Catholic High School, where Hamlin attended before college, also sent out a message for their former team captain, saying that the school “is praying for the well being and swift recovery of Damar Hamlin, ’16.’”.
Central Catholic High School is praying for the well being and swift recovery of Damar Hamlin, ‘16 (@BuffaloBills ). May the Lord be with him and his family during this most difficult time.
Hamlin collapsed during the Monday Night Football game against the @Bengals on 1-02-23. pic.twitter.com/xIT6XS8k4h
— Central Catholic (@centralvikings) January 3, 2023
keep praying, this young man has so much more to give this world. #DamarHamlin pic.twitter.com/YabkJy1cpE
— Jeff Schaller (@jeffreyschaller) January 3, 2023
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