Mandatory Photo Credit: © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
(Pittsburgh, PA) – If you’re born in Western Pennsylvania, you hit the tackling sled before you take your first steps. A mouthpiece is your first pacifier. Instead of a teddy bear, you get a football for your first birthday. Suffice it to say, the gridiron is in your blood when you’re from Allegheny County. And Damar Hamlin – who grew up in Mckees Rock, played his college ball at Pitt, and rose to the NFL ranks – is no exception.
“I think end of my career, finishing as a Pittsburgh Steeler would be a dream more so than playing there first because I played at Pitt… So I was in the stadium, I played at Heinz Field probably for like eight straight years.” Hamlin made those comments at a Topps trading card event in Pittsburgh.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old Hamlin, who will enter the fourth and final year of his rookie contract this coming season as a member of the Buffalo Bills, has had an interesting career to say the least. He’s now over a year removed from the on-the-field scare that made him into a household name, after he collapsed during a Monday Night Football contest with the Cincinnati Bengals. The exact moment went viral, as Hamlin was struck directly in the chest by an opposing player’s helmet, while the safety was making a tackle. In seconds, an eerie sight unfolded on national TV – Hamlin was down on the turf, and motionless. He’d experienced commotio cordis, which sometimes happens when the chest region is impacted at the exact moment of a heartbeat.
While it remains to be seen if the Bills will look to bring him back after next season, Hamlin was largely relegated to the bench in 2023 – when he was actually on the active roster. He played in just five games and was inactive for 12. Largely relegated to special teams, Hamlin recorded 2 tackles.
Last preseason, Hamlin made his return to what’s now known as Acrisure Stadium and received warm cheers from the home crowd. The Bills lost to the Steelers that day. Perhaps Damlin will make the Steel City fans once again rise to their feet – while wearing the black and gold some future season.
