Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills player who collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest on live TV, spoke out for the first time in a video, thanking God for āusing him as a vesselā during his amazing recovery.
In a video posted to Instagram on Sunday, Hamlin walked up before the camera and explained why he waited so long to speak publicly about his recovery. He insisted that his medical emergency on the field was proof of Faith.
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āI think it was important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time as it was just a lot to process within my own self mentally, physically, even spiritually. Itās just been a lot to process. But I canāt tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support, and everything thatās just been coming my way,ā Hamlin said.
āWhat happened to me on āMonday Night Footballā 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, and now Iām able to give it back to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most, and thatās always been my dream. Thatās always been what I stood for and what Iāll continue to stand for.ā
Hamlin then went on to directly mention by name the many people who helped keep him alive until he got to the hospital.
āWith this happening to me, I didnāt feel anything short of the love, and it really helped me stay encouraged to get through the toughest moments and the toughest times. I really canāt thank you enough,ā he said.
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Hamlin went on to also thank the Bengals, Cincinnati and the NFL in general ājust for putting team allegiance aside, to root for one kidās life and just the humanity of a player thatās wearing Buffalo blue. You put humanity above team loyalty. You showed the world unity over division. Iām not surprised by it, but Iām deeply grateful. Iāll be forever thankful and indebted to that.ā
āith Godās guidance, I will continue to do wonderful and great things. I couldnāt do this without any of the support and the love, and I canāt wait to continue to take yāall on this journey with me,ā Hamlin concluded.
Many Twitter users were awed by the 24-year-oldās profession of Faith.
In a post to Twitter, Hamlin added that just being grateful is not enough.
Hamlin zoomed into everyoneās heart after collapsing on the field during a cardiac arrest incident on Jan. 2 during āMonday Night Football.ā He was immediately given CPR on the field, then rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where his condition finally stabilized.
The 2021 NFL draft sixth-round pick out of Pittsburgh began mounting an amazing recovery and made his first public statement on Jan 7, only five days after entering the hospital. By Jan. 11, he was released from the hospital and allowed to go home. And by Jan 22, he was well enough to attend a Bills game. Still, this Saturday video was his first full address to fans.
Hamlin was not the only member of the Buffalo Bills to praise Godās handiwork in his recovery. Bills head coach Sean McDermott also said that the credit goes to a higher power, proclaiming āglory to God.ā Indeed, the entire Bills team gathered on the field openly to kneel in Prayer the night Hamlin was rushed off the filed and to a Cincinnati hospital.
The incident on Jan. 2 unexpectedly brought Godās glory to the national stage.
Hamlinās shocking collapse changed people and made us all more aware of our finite existence, which is something we all have in common. It reminds us that even in the prime of life we are not guaranteed even a single day on earth, and one day we will come face-to-face with our Creator. Hamlinās collapse also took a bite out of our arrogant assumption that we are the all-powerful ones on earth. It was a reminder that God is much bigger and more powerful than we are. Everything that happens, happens for His glory.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.