The NFL Honors show recognized UC Medical Center professionals who helped Damar Hamlin survive a cardiac-arrest event that postponed the Cincinnati Bengals' game against the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium, and brought members of "Team Damar" on stage to honor them as Hamlin thanked everyone on the stage "for everything they did for me."
Hamlin then embraced members of the team, which included Lt. Col. Valerie Sams - an Air Force trauma surgeon who was part of the medical staff during the game - in addition to the Buffalo Bills' medical staff that included assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington, who was credited with saving Hamlin's life on the field in Cincinnati that Monday night in January by administering CPR to the Bills' defensive back.
"First, I would like to just thank God for even being here," Hamlin said, surrounded by the professionals who attended to him. "Every day, I am amazed that my experiences could encourage so many others. ... Sudden cardiac arrest was nothing I would've ever chosen to be a part of my story, but that's because sometimes our own visions are too small, even when we think we are seeing a bigger picture. My vision was about playing in the NFL, and being the best player that I could be. But God's plan was to have a purpose greater than any game in this world. My entire life I felt like God was using me to give others hope. And now with a new set of circumstances, I can only say he's doing what he's always done. I have a long journey ahead, a journey full of unknowns and a journey full of milestones, but it's a lot easier to face your fears when you know your purpose. My third night awake in the hospital, I met an ICU doctor. His name was Yousef. He told me he had a similar experience. He showed me he was OK, and that meant so much to me. There was so much uncertainty at the time, and just him coming to me, showing that I could live a normal life again - it meant so much to me in the moment. So I want to give a big thank you to him, and a special thank you to everyone on this stage, for everything they did for me. And thank you everyone around the country and around the world who prayed for me and hoped for me. The journey will continue."
Social media reactions, including video from the NFL and tweets from UC Health:
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