CNN –
After suffering a cardiac arrest on the field in January, Damar Hamlin played his first NFL game for the Buffalo Bills during their preseason match against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
The 25-year-old safety received a warm reception from the Bills fans in Orchard Park, New York, as the team made for Highmark Stadium. Hamlin started the game at 11:38 of the first quarter on kickoff coverage after scoring 88 points and scoring two touchdowns for the club.
During his limited playing time, Hamlin made three tackles on special teams and defense, including a fourth-down tackle that enabled him to convert turnovers.
After experiencing a cardiac arrest on January 2, the Bills safety made his debut on the NFL playing field for the first time.
Hamlin fell down during the first quarter of the Bills’ Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals after a tackle, hitting his head and chest.
Hamlin was put on a ventilator for days, and spent more than writ of time in NICU after doctors and trainers performed CPR on him at the emergency room.
After experiencing a cardiac arrest in January, Hamlin returned to play after his first game.
After undergoing evaluations at three different specialists during the offseason, Hamlin was given complete clearance to resume football activities in April. The diagnosis was commotio cordis, which is caused by severe chest trauma that disrupts the heart’s electrical charge and leads to dangerous fibrillations (or abnormal heartbeats).
In April, Hamlin declared that he had passed away in front of the entire world during his first session with reporters after suffering an injury.
My heart is still beating. I love the game, and it’s something I want to prove to myself, not anyone else.”
He has accomplished several feats upon his return to the NFL, including being in full practice in June and then wearing pads again in July.