ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Damar Hamlin released a video Saturday through which he says he’s grateful for the outpouring of assist and vows to pay it again, marking the primary time the Buffalo Payments security has spoken publicly since he went into cardiac arrest and wanted to be resuscitated on the sphere in Cincinnati on Jan. 2.
Noting he continues to make “much progress” in his restoration, Hamlin mentioned now was “the right time” to talk for the reason that Payments’ season ended and since he wanted time to get well and collect his ideas.
“It was just a lot to process within my own self — mentally, physically, even spiritually. It’s just been a lot to process,” he mentioned. “But I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support and everything that’s just been coming in my way.”
Hamlin then mentioned he has come to peace with what occurred on the sphere when he collapsed after making what seemed to be a routine deal with of Bengals large receiver Tee Higgins, who struck Hamlin squarely within the chest.
“What happened to me on ‘Monday Night Football,’ I feel is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world,” he mentioned.
“And now I’m able to give to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most. And that’s always been my dream,” he added. “That’s always been what I stood for and what I will continue to stand for.”
Hamlin didn’t seem to have any bother talking in the course of the 5 1/2-minute video titled: “Thank You: A message from Damar Hamlin” posted on his Instagram account.
The video opens with Hamlin strolling into view, putting down a jacket and taking a seat in what seems to be one of many Payments workforce assembly rooms. The room is dimly lit with the phrase `Payments’ prominently displayed behind him.
Hamlin is sporting a white T-shirt with the identify of his charitable basis, Chasing Thousands and thousands, printed on the entrance and with a gold chain with the initials “DM” hanging round his neck.
The Payments didn’t instantly reply to a message about when or the place the video was filmed.
On Jan. 20, Hamlin’s advertising and marketing consultant Jordon Rooney mentioned the 24-year-old player faces a long recovery whereas on the time nonetheless requiring oxygen and having his coronary heart monitored repeatedly to make sure there are not any setbacks.
Hamlin has been recovering at residence since being launched from the hospital on Jan. 11 to proceed his rehabilitation with the Payments. He then started making common visits to the workforce’s facility and was healthy enough to attend the Payments’ season-ending 27-10 loss to the Bengals in a divisional playoff sport final weekend.
Hamlin spent a majority of the video offering thanks whereas itemizing his household, teammates, coaching workers, and the medical workers at each the College of Cincinnati Medical Middle and Buffalo Common Medical Middle, the place he cut up his restoration.
He thanked the Bengals and gamers from across the league for his or her assist by “putting team allegiance aside.”
“You put humanity above team loyalty. You showed the world unity over division,” Hamlin mentioned. “I’m not surprised by it, but I’m deeply grateful and I will be forever thankful and indebted to that.”
He additionally thanked those that donated greater than $9 million to his charity over the previous 4 weeks.
“While I’m so thankful to everybody, I know that it isn’t enough just to be thankful. This is just the beginning of the impact that I wanted to have on the world,” Hamlin mentioned in closing the video by making a coronary heart signal along with his fingers.
“I couldn’t do this without any of this support and the love,” he continued. “And I can’t wait to continue to take y’all on this journey with me.”
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