Damar Hamlin

Damar Romeyelle Hamlin Bio

Damar Romeyelle Hamlin is an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft with the 212th overall pick. Hamlin spent most of his rookie season as a backup before becoming a starter in 2022 following a season-ending injury to Micah Hyde. During a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023, Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle and was hospitalized in critical condition. He was released from the hospital nine days later and eventually returned to professional football, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope throughout the NFL community.

Early Life and Background

Damar Hamlin was raised in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he established himself as an exceptional defensive player. Hamlin was named first-team All-State and earned the distinction of being selected as the Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year during his high school career. His outstanding performance at the high school level attracted attention from major college football programs across the country.

Hamlin was considered a top cornerback prospect coming out of Central Catholic High School. He was rated as a four-star recruit and was pursued by several major college football programs including Pittsburgh, Penn State, Ohio State, and Temple. The combination of his athletic ability, academic offerings, and proximity to home led him to select the University of Pittsburgh, where he would continue his football journey at the collegiate level.

Path to the NFL

Hamlin joined the Pittsburgh Panthers football program in 2016 and played in four games as a true freshman before suffering an injury that resulted in a medical redshirt exception for that season. As a redshirt freshman in 2017, Hamlin was not fully recovered until week three of the football season. Playing the safety position, he recorded 41 tackles with one interception in nine games played during that campaign.

In 2018, Hamlin led the Panthers secondary, nicknamed the “sniper gang,” with 77 tackles and two interceptions as a redshirt sophomore. His performance earned him honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition. The following year, he registered 84 tackles with 10 passes broken up as a redshirt junior, continuing to establish himself as a defensive leader. Going into his final season in 2020, Hamlin was named a team captain and earned Second-team All-ACC honors after leading the Panthers with 66 tackles and seven passes broken up. He also earned ACC Co-Defensive Back of the Week honors for his November 2020 performance against Virginia Tech. Hamlin earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Pittsburgh upon completing his collegiate career.

Damar Hamlin Career

Rookie Season (2021)

The Buffalo Bills selected Hamlin in the sixth round with the 212th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with Buffalo on May 21, 2021. Hamlin played a reserve role in his first professional season, tallying two tackles and two pass breakups in 14 games played. The rookie campaign served as a developmental year as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of professional football while learning behind experienced safeties on the roster.

Breakthrough Season (2022)

Hamlin became one of Buffalo’s starting safeties in 2022 after Micah Hyde suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2. This opportunity allowed him to showcase the skills he developed during his rookie year and preseason preparations. Against the New York Jets in Week 9, Hamlin led the team with 12 tackles and a sack in the 20-17 loss, demonstrating his ability to make an impact against division rivals. In Week 13 against the New England Patriots, Hamlin was ejected after an illegal hit on Jakobi Meyers in the 24-10 victory.

The 2022 season culminated in a life-altering event during the Week 17 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. After tackling wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin collapsed on the field at midfield. First responders initiated CPR, automated external defibrillation, and other treatments for approximately 10 minutes. He was transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was reported to be in critical condition and was intubated. Medical staff later confirmed that Hamlin had suffered cardiac arrest and that his heartbeat was restored on the field.

Hamlin later revealed that he experienced an episode of commotio cordis, an extremely rare condition in which cardiac rhythm is disrupted by a blow to the chest during a specific window in the heart’s electrical cycle. The condition is 97 percent fatal if not treated within three minutes. Over the following days, Hamlin showed remarkable improvement. He was able to communicate by writing on paper, followed commands with full control of his extremities, and asked who won Monday night’s game. On January 6, he breathed on his own after his breathing tube was removed, and he made a brief video call to a Bills team meeting. Nine days after his collapse, he was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and returned to Buffalo to continue treatment. He was eventually discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center to continue rehabilitation at home.

Recovery and Return (2023)

Hamlin’s recovery captured national attention and an outpouring of support from across the NFL and beyond. On February 2023, he made a special on-field appearance at Super Bowl LVII, accompanied by Bills athletic training and UC Health staff members. The following month, Hamlin met with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, D.C., to support the Access to AEDs Act, legislation that would assist schools in obtaining and using automated external defibrillators.

On April 18, 2023, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane announced that Hamlin was fully cleared to return to the NFL. That same day, Hamlin publicly stated his intention to continue playing professional football. On August 12, 2023, he played his first NFL snap since his cardiac arrest during the Bills’ preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. After playing in all three preseason contests, Hamlin was a healthy scratch for the first three games of the regular season before being activated for Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, serving as a backup after Jordan Poyer was ruled out due to injury. On November 13, Hamlin played his first defensive snaps and made his first tackle since the incident during the Week 10 game against the Denver Broncos.

2024 Season

After the Bills parted ways with starting safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer during the offseason, Hamlin stepped into a more prominent role. He started at safety during the Bills’ Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals, marking his first start since his cardiac arrest nearly two years earlier. In Week 3, Hamlin recorded his first career interception in a 47-10 Bills win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. His performance throughout the season earned him recognition as a first alternate in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games near the end of the campaign.

2025 Season

On March 12, 2025, Hamlin re-signed with the Buffalo Bills on a one-year, $2 million contract. The deal represented the team’s continued commitment to the safety who had overcome such significant adversity. However, the season took an unexpected turn when Hamlin suffered a pectoral injury during practice. He was placed on injured reserve on October 11, 2025, ending his season early due to injury.

Buffalo Bills Era (2026-Present)

On March 27, 2026, Hamlin re-signed with the Buffalo Bills on another one-year deal, ensuring his continued presence with the organization that drafted him. This latest contract extension demonstrated the Bills’ confidence in Hamlin’s abilities and his importance to the team culture. Throughout his career with Buffalo, Hamlin has become more than just a player; he represents the values of perseverance, community engagement, and professional excellence.

Playing Style and Strengths

Hamlin plays the safety position with instincts and physicality that allow him to make plays across the field. His background as a cornerback prospect coming out of college gave him refined coverage skills, while his time in the NFL has developed his tackling ability and football intelligence. His experience recovering from a life-threatening cardiac event appears to have added another dimension to his competitive fire and appreciation for the game.

Notable Events and Milestones

The January 2, 2023, Monday Night Football game stands as the most dramatic moment of Hamlin’s career. The entire NFL world watched as medical staff worked to save his life on the field at Paycor Stadium. The subsequent days of uncertainty and his remarkable recovery became a defining story in sports. In the Divisional Round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2024, Hamlin took a direct snap during a fake punt attempt, demonstrating his versatility and the trust his coaches placed in him.

Damar Hamlin Career Statistics

Hamlin has compiled solid defensive numbers throughout his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. His statistics reflect his transition from a special teams contributor to a defensive starter.

NFL Career Highlights

As of the 2025 NFL season, Hamlin has recorded 185 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery across his professional career. His first career interception came during a 47-10 Bills victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3 of the 2024 season. The 2024 campaign represented his most productive season statistically, as he earned a first alternate selection to the Pro Bowl Games.

College Career Statistics

During his five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh from 2016 to 2020, Hamlin established himself as a defensive leader. His best statistical season came in 2019 when he recorded 84 tackles with 10 passes broken up. As a senior and team captain in 2020, he led the team with 66 tackles and seven passes broken up, earning Second-team All-ACC honors.

Damar Hamlin Family

Family Background

Hamlin grew up in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, as a member of a close-knit family. His uncle Dorrian Glen served as a spokesperson for the family during Hamlin’s hospitalization in January 2023, providing updates on his condition to the media during the critical early days of his recovery.

Personal Life

Beyond his football career, Hamlin has established himself as a fashion entrepreneur. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, he started a fashion line called Chasing Millions. In addition to his business ventures, Hamlin has made appearances in entertainment, including guest cameo roles as himself in Hallmark Channel original films Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story and The More the Merrier, both of which premiered in 2025.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season began with promise for Hamlin as he re-signed with the Buffalo Bills on a one-year, $2 million contract in March. He entered the season as part of the safety rotation following the departures of longtime starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. His experience and leadership became valuable assets for a Bills defense retooling at the position. However, the season took an unfortunate turn when Hamlin suffered a pectoral injury during practice. The injury required him to be placed on injured reserve on October 11, prematurely ending his 2025 campaign. Despite the injury setback, Hamlin’s continued presence on the roster demonstrates the mutual commitment between player and organization.