Damar Hamlin makes the first interception of his career 2 years after his cardiac arrest. Watch the moment
Damar Hamlin’s remarkable recovery from cardiac arrest is not only a feel-good story for the Buffalo Bills – he is also an influential player.
The fourth-year safety recorded his first career interception in a 47-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 23, the latest amazing moment in his comeback. Not only that, it came in his first start on “Monday Night Football” since he nearly died on the field during a “MNF” game in 2022.
This milestone was achieved by 26-year-old Hamlin, who intercepted a bad pass from Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter.
He celebrated with his arms raised, sending the crowd at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium into a frenzy. He also finished the win with three solo tackles, two assists and two pass breakups.
“It was a good feeling to get the first point behind us,” Hamlin said in the post-game press conference.
“When Damar made his first interception, the crowd went crazy, everyone ran onto the field, it was inspiring,” Hamlin’s teammate, linebacker Von Miller, said in the press conference.
His interception came less than two years after he suffered cardiac arrest on the field after tackling a Bengals receiver on Jan. 2, 2022, also during a Monday Night Football game.
Hamlin was resuscitated on the field by the Bills’ athletic trainer, who later tearfully presented him with an award at the 2023 ESPYs for helping to save his life.
“We all know my last start on ‘Monday Night Football’ and how the game went. The fact that I was able to fight back that far afterward and have such a special moment is just thanks to God,” Hamlin said after the win over the Jaguars. “It makes the emotions a lot easier when you just go out there and think, ‘I just want to play for my teammates.'”
Hamlin returned to the field for the Bills last season, playing in five games as a backup and finishing with two tackles. This summer, he earned a spot in the starting lineup in training camp after both of last year’s starting safeties, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, left the team in the offseason.
The Bills improved their record to 3-0 with the win and have been one of the top teams in the NFL so far this season.
