Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, got emotional at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night as he honored and thanked the first responders who helped save his life after he suffered from cardiac arrest during a game in January.
Hamlin awarded the group the Pat Tillman Award for Service, saying, “I didn’t wake up that morning in January thinking that I would need someone to save my life that day, and I doubt that the staff thought that they had to do what they did either.”
He continued, “What I’ve taken away from what happened to me six and a half months ago, is that any of us at any given time are capable of doing something that’s incredible, in saving a life and living a life in service to others. It’s a blessing. It’s a responsibility. And it’s the very reason why you’re hearing my voice right now. Anyone could be a hero. These are mine.”
Damar Hamlin was brought to tears when presenting the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the training staff of the Buffalo Bills ❤️ 💙 pic.twitter.com/IThNKmREyC
— ESPN (@espn) July 13, 2023
As he finished his speech, Hamlin broke down into tears, announcing the award to the group on stage.
The Buffalo Bills’ head athletic trainer, Nate Breske, accepted the award on behalf of the remainder of the staff saying, “I’m humbled and honored to be speaking tonight, representing the Buffalo Bills athletic training staff… By the grace of God and divine intervention, we had the best outcome we could have prayed for.”
He went on saying, “It was a massive army of specialists who came together on and off the field to do their jobs at night. That team includes the athletic trainers and medical staffs, equipment, managers, player, engagement, personnel, mental health clinicians, chaplains, security on field first responders, paramedics and the entire medical staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.”
Hamlin had shocked the world on January 2 when he collapsed on the field from an emergency that doctors say was caused by commotio cordis. He eventually recovered and was able to leave the hospital nine days later, cheering his team on from the sidelines the remainder of the season.
According to People Magazine, the Pat Tillman Award for Service is given out annually to an individual or individuals who serve others in the legacy of Tillman. Tillman died in Afghanistan after enlisting following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The board chair and founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation, Marie Tillman Shenton, released a statement on the decision to give the award to the first responders. She said, “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that last January when Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field, the training staff at the Buffalo Bills organization exemplified the utmost strength and resilience, jumping into action to perform life-saving measures when they were needed the most.”
She continued, “These professionals didn’t waste a moment before jumping into action for one of the most frightening scenarios they could have prepared for — on the world’s stage no less — and ultimately saving Damar Hamlin’s life through their quick and decisive teamwork,” she continued. “The group’s commitment to service mirrors Pat’s passion and dedication to serving others and our mission here at the foundation.”
The Pat Tillman Award for Service was previously awarded to Gretchen Evans in 2022, Kim Clavel in 2020, and Jake Wood in 2019, according to People Magazine.
