Almost a year on from a traumatic night at Paycor Stadium, Damar Hamlin is ready to ‘walk through the fire’ on his return to Cincinnati this weekend.
It has been 10 months since Hamlin, 25, collapsed during the Buffalo Bills‘ encounter with the Bengals after suffering a cardiac arrest mid-game, with the safety resuscitated on the field before being rushed to hospital.
He has since made a miraculous recovery, allowing him to resume his football career with the Bills this season, and Sunday night will mark his first return to Cincinnati since the terrifying incident took place.
Speaking on teammate Von Miller’s podcast ‘The Von Cast’, Hamlin admitted it will be an ’emotional’ evening back at Paycor Stadium.
‘I think it’s going to be super electric and I think it’s gonna be nothing but love,’ he said when asked by Miller how it will feel heading back to Cincinnati.
Damar Hamlin is ready to ‘walk through the fire’ on his return to Cincinnati this weekend
Hamlin collapsed on the field during the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Bengals 10 months ago
‘The only thing I’ve got to compare it to is going back into our stadium and how much love and reception it is.
‘So going back into there, I’m pretty sure it’ll be a bunch of memories which will make it emotional for me, but I ain’t running from it. I’m ready to walk through the fire.
‘I think it’s going to be all love, I think it’s going to be all energy, all support. I’m super excited to see it.
‘I remember just watching on TV from the hospital, just seeing the stadium when we played the Patriots, right after everything happened, and it was electric. I think it’ll be on that same level and same atmosphere.
‘So you know, I’m super excited. I’m thankful man, I’m blessed and I’m just appreciative on both ends of the support from everybody in Cincinnati; the team, the fans, everyone who showed my family love while they were there for a whole week.
‘Like you told me man, one thing that just eased my mind, “man you already won”. Literally, the hard part’s already over.’
Hamlin made his official return to the field on October 1 but has been frequently inactive for games this season.
Ahead of the Week 9 game, he is unsure whether he will even be involved on Sunday night.
However, the Bills star claims his health scare last year has given him a new outlook on life.
‘Man, I’m thankful for life. Honestly, I’m thankful to wake up, brush my teeth, have a meal. Take 10 Deep breaths. I’m thankful for everything,’ Hamlin told The New York Post.
‘Life is bigger than just ball for me and always will be until the day that I go, but to be able to do what I do at the highest level, I’m an extra level of thankful you know.
‘I’m super thankful to have my normal life back. But I’m extremely thankful to be able to continue to compete at the highest level and do what I love to do.’
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