Damar Hamlin posts public video for first time since collapsing on the pitch

Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who collapsed on the field earlier this month, thanked his fans and the medical professionals responsible for his recovery in his first public video since suffering the cardiac arrest which left him in a critical condition.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the love, all the support,” Hamlin said in the video, which he posted on Saturday.

The team’s official Twitter account posted the heartwarming video with the caption “A special message from our guy” and the hashtags #LoveForDamar and #ForDamar. The video was also shared on Hamlin’s Instagram.

In the nearly six-minute video, Hamlin begins by saying it was important for him to “wait and speak publicly at the right time,” then thanking his team, family and friends, medical professionals who “saved [his] life”, and its fans, the “Bills Mafia”, among others.

“It’s been a lot to process,” Hamlin said.

After a hit in an away game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2 that resulted in cardiac arrest, Hamlin’s heart rate was restored on the field before he was transferred to the medical center. University of Cincinnati. He stayed there for nine days before returning to Buffalo for further medical treatment.

“What happened to me on ‘Monday Night Football’, I think, is a direct example of God using me as a vehicle to share my passion and love straight from my heart with the whole world,” he said. he declared, sporting a t-shirt with the name of his charitable foundation, “Chasing Millions”.

“And now I can give to children and communities around the world who need it most. And that’s always been my dream,” he added. “That has always been what I have stood for and what I will continue to stand for.”

A GoFundMe page for the Chasing M’s Foundation by Hamlin and his team has raised more than $9 million in charitable donations from nearly 250,000 donors – and “received renewed support” after Hamlin was hospitalized, read an update up to date on the fundraising profile.

“Damar started the Chasing M’s Foundation to use as a way to make a lasting impact on his community,” the GoFundMe page reads. “The foundation supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids’ camps, and more. We’re optimistic about Damar’s future involvement in making the incredibly generous contributions.”

“Thank you to everyone who has donated — in any way — to the Chasing M’s Foundation,” Hamlin said in the video. “I don’t even have the words to express my gratitude.”

Hamlin declined to provide further details about his current health status in the video, saying instead, “This is just the beginning of the impact I wanted to have on the world.”

“And with God’s guidance, I can do wonderful and great things,” he added.