Damar Hamlin finally spoke out for the first time since suffering cardiac arrest on the pitch, thanking the doctors who helped save his life along with his teammates and supporters along the way.
The safety of the Buffalo Bills – who collapsed on the field earlier this month – appeared to be in good spirits during the nearly six-minute video where he discussed his recovery publicly for the first time ever. since a cardiac arrest sent him to the hospital. critical condition.
Damar Hamlin speaks out for the first time since cardiac arrest in the game, thank you doctors, teammates
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the love and support,” Hamlin said in a video posted to Instagram on Saturday.
Similarly, the official Bills Twitter account posted this touching video, captioning it “a special message from our guy”, along with the hashtags # #LoveForDamar and #ForDamar.
Hamlin began his first public appearance since the health scare by saying it was important for him to “wait and speak publicly at the right time.”
“There’s a lot to deal with,” Hamlin said.
On January 2, the 24-year-old received a blow to the Cincinnati Bengals that resulted in cardiac arrest, Shade room reported at that time.
His heart rate was eventually stabilized by paramedics at the scene, before being taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He was hospitalized there for nine days, before doctors gave him the green light to return to Buffalo for further treatment.
Hamlin says the fear of health “is a direct example of God using me as a vessel” in the newly released video
Hamlin went on to say that “what happened to me… I felt, was a direct example of God using me as a vessel.”
“What happened to me on ‘Monday Night Football,’ I feel, is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share passion and love straight from the heart. my heart to the world,” he said, displaying a t-shirt bearing the name of his charity, “Chasing Millions.”
Safety added that it’s “always been my dream,” to have a platform to “provide to children and communities around the world who need it most.”
“And now I can bring it to children and communities around the world who need it most. And that has always been my dream,” he added. “That’s always what I stand for and what I will continue to stand for.”
Hamlin’s ‘Chasing M’s Foundation’ Raised Over $9 Million After Cardiac Arrest
Due to publicity, Hamlin turned a negative into a positive after creating a “Chasing M’s Foundation” fundraiser, which received over $9 million in donations from over 250,000 donors.
“Damar created The Chasing M’s Foundation to use as a vehicle for lasting impact on his community,” the GoFundMe page reads. “The fund supports toy distributions, back-to-school events, children’s camps, etc. We look forward to Damar’s participation in the future in disbursing extremely generous donations.”
Hamlin went on to say, “Thank you to anyone who has donated – in any way – to Chasing M’s Foundation,” Hamlin said in the video.
“I don’t even have words to express my gratitude,” Hamlin said.
Meanwhile, Hamlin declined to provide any specifics regarding his health in the video, but noted that “this is just the beginning of the impact I want to have on the world. “
“And with God’s guidance, I can do wonderful and great things,” he added.
Those who wish to donate can do so at this GoFundMe link here.
