Josh McDaniels knows things could get emotional if Damar Hamlin plays for Bills
Sep 15, 2023, 2:30 PM
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 26: Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills looks on against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 26, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
On Jan. 2, 2023, the NFL world was shaken when 25-year-old safety Damar Hamlin had to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati after going into cardiac arrest.
Hamlin’s heart stopped as a result of commotio cordis, which is when a direct blow at a specific point in a heartbeat causes cardiac arrest.
Since then, Hamlin has resumed his career, playing in preseason games and making the Buffalo Bills’ 53-man roster.
Damar Hamlin is back on the sidelines with the Bills to kick off the season 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lyOOUK4FQh
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 11, 2023
And while he didn’t play in the Bill’s opener last Monday against the Jets as a healthy scratch, there’s still a chance Damar Hamlin is added to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. And if he does, coach Josh McDaniels knows things could get emotional.
“Everybody was incredibly compassionate and sensitive to Damar [Hamlin]’s situation last year. I think what he’s done overcoming that situation and continuing to play football and build on his career has been just an incredible example of perseverance and faith. So, I think everybody in our locker room would say the same thing. Got a tremendous amount of respect for him and, we’re happy that he’s continuing his career. We just have to focus on what we can focus on,” McDaniels said. “But it’s just of those things where we’ve got to deal with our own selves, focus on our own execution, control our communication and the things that are important to us. So, we’ll try to block out all the things that we can’t control and focus on us.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article. Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
