Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January, is honoring the medical team that saved his life by launching a scholarship program for young people in Cincinnati. Hamlin announced the scholarship program on Sunday, revealing that he had dinner with the 10 University of Cincinnati Medical Center staff members who helped save his life. He surprised them with a scholarship named after each of them that will support youth in Cincinnati in pursuing their dreams.
The scholarships, which will be awarded by Hamlin's charity, Chasing M's, will provide $1,000 each to 10 individuals from underserved communities in Cincinnati for the next three years. Each scholarship will be named after one of the first-responders, nurses, and doctors who treated Hamlin after his cardiac arrest. The announcement of the scholarship program coincides with the Buffalo Bills' return to Cincinnati to play the Bengals in Week 9 of the 2023 NFL season.
Hamlin expressed his gratitude for the medical professionals and his excitement about the scholarship program, stating, "I'm humbled by the opportunity to set up a scholarship program to honor this team of professionals - my Cincinnati heroes - who helped save my life. Today, as I look at honoring these Cincinnati heroes and lifting up young people who are trying to find their way, I'm reminded of the enormous blessing I've been given through my charity and the generosity of people around the world."
The incident that led to Hamlin's cardiac arrest occurred on January 2 during a Monday Night Football game. He took a blow to the chest, causing his heart to stop. Fortunately, his heartbeat was restored on the field before he was taken to the hospital. Hamlin was in critical condition and needed to use a ventilator. However, he showed remarkable improvement, according to his team and doctors, and was able to speak to his teammates. After being discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, he was transferred to Buffalo General Hospital and eventually sent home on January 11.
Hamlin, who grew up in McKees Rock, a Pittsburgh suburb, credits a scholarship that allowed him to attend Central Catholic High School for his success. He went on to play for the University of Pittsburgh before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2021. Despite establishing his charity, Chasing M's, while in college to give back to the community, it was his own collapse and recovery that attracted more than $9 million in contributions to the charity. Hamlin has been using his foundation to distribute automated external defibrillators to community sports associations and promote CPR training.
Although Hamlin is the fifth and final safety on Buffalo's depth chart, he resumed his career by making the Bills' roster in August. He has appeared in one game this season but is not expected to play in the Bills' game against the Bengals on Sunday night. The scholarship program serves as a way for Hamlin to express his gratitude and give back to the city and medical professionals who saved his life.
