Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been named the starter for the start of the 2024 NFL season, marking an incredible return following his cardiac episode in 2023.
Hamlin has fought his way through to being a reliable member of the Bills' secondary. For him, it was just one day at a time.
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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, #3, gestures on the sideline against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on August 17, 2024. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
“I'm just living my process, my journey and my mission in life one day at a time,” he told Fox News Digital before the Bills' season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. “Being able to live my process one day at a time has really been the biggest thing for me.”
Most NFL fans will remember Hamlin collapsing on the field in a January game against the Cincinnati Bengals toward the end of the 2022 season. He was able to return to the field last season in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins.
Hamlin did not play defense, but primarily on special teams. He appeared in five games.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, #3, and wide receiver Keon Coleman, #0, sign autographs for fans following a training camp session at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York on July 24, 2024. (Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)
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As for the defensive back, he said he didn't need to recalibrate his mindset to start focusing on football again. Football is what he's always done.
“Football has always been the main thing,” he explained. “Football has always been my passion. I've always wanted to be a great player. It's something that comes naturally to me. It's something that's always been important to me.”
“I had to overcome a lot of anxiety and adversity. It was a new process. But as far as being able to focus on football, I've always focused on it because it's what I'm most passionate about.”
Hamlin partnered with Invisalign before the start of the season and spoke highly of their aligners.
“I think Invisalign aligners really give you that confidence that goes hand in hand on and off the field to be able to perform at your best,” she said. “The treatment is designed specifically for you; that was one of the most important things for me. And the flexibility that it offers, being able to take my aligners off to go to practice, wear my mouthguard, and be able to take my aligners off to enjoy a nice meal.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, #3, during the 2024 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on January 21, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
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“It was perfect for me.”
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