Earlier this year, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin nearly lost his life on the football field when he went into cardiac arrest and needed life-saving CPR during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. But after a recovery that is nothing short of miraculous, Hamlin appears to be attempting a return to football – and it sounds like he has the full support of his head coach.
During an interview with Judy Battista of The NFL Network this week, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott discussed the potential return of Damar Hamlin and revealed that he’s ready to support any decision that Hamlin makes, even if it’s a last-minute decision.
“I’m ready to support him in any direction he decides to go, even if it’s last minute,” McDermott told Battista
McDermott said he hopes Hamlin returns. "I'm ready to support him in any direction he decides to go, even if it's last minute." Said the team has broached the topic with Hamlin of the mental and emotional aspects of a return.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) March 26, 2023
As Hamlin works toward a return, McDermott acknowledged that there is more to Hamlin preparing to return to the field than the physical preparation. He realizes that there’s a strong mental and emotional component, as well.
“The best thing we can do is support him all the way through this, and that is a big piece of it that is, mind, body and spirit,” McDermott said. “It’s just not physically like, hey, in the weight room, it’s the mental piece as well.”
More McDermott on Hamlin: "The best thing we can do is support him all the way through this & that is a big piece of it that is, mind, body and spirit. It's just not physically like, hey in the weight room, it's the mental piece as well."
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) March 26, 2023
McDermott also added that if Hamlin does return to the field, “the amount of courage it’s going to take to re-engage again is unbeknownst to many of us.”
