July 24, 2024; Rochester, NY, USA; Buffalo Payments security Damar Hamlin (3) and vast receiver Keon Coleman (0) at St. John Fisher College Signing autographs for followers after coaching camp. Necessary Credit score: Mark Konezny-Imagn Pictures Damar Hamlin will begin at security within the Buffalo Payments’ season opener towards the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, coach Sean McDermott mentioned Wednesday, persevering with his “unbelievable” story .
Hamlin mentioned he “took some onerous issues final 12 months to make it simpler this 12 months” and was excited to meet his dream of seeing his work repay in a tangible means. He mentioned he understands why his promotion will turn out to be a storyline and admitted he nonetheless always thinks in regards to the incident on the sphere in Cincinnati. Sunday was his first begin since Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the sphere on Jan. 2, 2023.
“I have been fascinated by it quite a bit. Identical to what occurred to the world, it occurred to me,” Hamlin mentioned. “…Nevertheless it connects me to my function and my blessings.”
Tyler Rapp will occupy the opposite beginning security spot.
Nobody individual or group helped Hamlin earn a beginning function with the Payments, however he mentioned Wednesday that former teammates and beginning safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are his finest examples of what it takes to turn out to be a professional.
“One of many issues we speak about is: Consistency is the true signal of greatness,” Hamlin mentioned Wednesday, noting that he retains the quote on a Submit-it word that he retains in locations like his toilet. “I’ve to stay and observe their nice instance on daily basis.”
Hamlin began 13 of 15 video games through the 2022 season earlier than collapsing on the sphere throughout Cincinnati’s nationally televised recreation towards the Bengals.
“It is one factor to return again from an ACL or a fracture. It is one other factor to return again from what he went by way of,” McDermott mentioned. “Not to mention deciding to play soccer, full-pad contact soccer on the NFL stage. I do not assume I must say something extra. It is unbelievable.”
“I feel God’s hand has been on Damar and his household and can proceed to be. We’re so proud and grateful to have watched him undergo what he went by way of and the place he’s now.”
Hamlin, 26, performed in 5 video games (no begins) final season, enjoying simply 17 video games on protection and 94 video games on particular groups. This 12 months he was slowly introduced again and elevated exercise. McDermott mentioned he earned the beginning job by way of “consistency and alternative.”
“The chance was there and he took benefit of it and was constant. (He) developed a stage of rapport with T-Rapp that is necessary on the security place as effectively,” McDermott mentioned.
Hamlin attended Pitt in school and was chosen by the Payments within the sixth spherical of the 2021 draft.
In whole, he appeared in 34 NFL video games (13 begins) and had 95 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 passes defended and 1 compelled fumble.
–Scene-level media
