Damar Hamlin Bio
Damar Romeyelle Hamlin is an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, he played college football at the University of Pittsburgh before earning a starting role in the NFL. Hamlin became widely known for his recovery after suffering a cardiac arrest during a nationally televised game in January 2023 and has since returned to professional football while continuing his community work.
Beyond football, Hamlin has built a presence as a fashion entrepreneur and philanthropist through his Chasing M’s Foundation and his clothing line, Chasing Millions. His resilience on and off the field has earned him national recognition, including awards that highlight both his athletic comeback and his service to others.
Early Life and Background
Damar Romeyelle Hamlin was born on March 24, 1998, in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He was raised in the Pittsburgh-area community and attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. At Central Catholic, Hamlin developed into a standout defensive back and was named first-team All-State along with the Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year.
Coming out of high school, Hamlin was rated as a four-star recruit and considered one of the top cornerback prospects in his class. Major college football programs, including Pittsburgh, Penn State, Ohio State, and Temple, pursued his commitment.
He chose to stay close to home and play for the Pittsburgh Panthers, beginning his college career in 2016. Hamlin later earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Pittsburgh.
Path to American Football
Hamlin joined the Pittsburgh Panthers as a true freshman in 2016, playing in four games before an injury cut his season short and led to a medical redshirt. After working his way back to full health, he transitioned from cornerback to safety during his redshirt freshman season in 2017, recording 41 tackles and one interception in nine games.
By his redshirt sophomore year in 2018, Hamlin had become a key member of the Panthers’ secondary, leading the unit with 77 tackles and two interceptions and earning honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition. He continued to grow as a redshirt junior in 2019, registering 84 tackles and 10 passes broken up.
Entering his final college season in 2020, Hamlin served as a team captain and was named to the All-ACC second team after leading the Panthers with 66 tackles and seven passes broken up. His strong senior campaign helped position him as a draft prospect, leading to his selection by the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Damar Hamlin Career
Early Career (2021 Season)
The Buffalo Bills selected Damar Hamlin in the sixth round with the 212th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 21, 2021, and joined a Buffalo secondary that already featured established starters.
Hamlin spent most of his rookie season in a reserve role, appearing in 14 games while tallying two tackles and two pass breakups. The experience gave him a foundation to build on as he prepared for a larger role in the seasons ahead.
NFL Breakthrough (2022 Season)
Hamlin became one of Buffalo’s starting safeties in 2022 after Micah Hyde suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2. He quickly emerged as a reliable presence in the Bills’ defensive backfield.
Against the New York Jets in Week 9, Hamlin led the team with 12 tackles and added a sack in a narrow 20–17 loss. In Week 13 against the New England Patriots, he recorded an ejection following an illegal hit on Jakobi Meyers during a 24–10 Bills win. His season came to an abrupt halt after he collapsed on the field during a Week 17 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023.
Following a routine tackle of wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest caused by commotio cordis, an extremely rare condition in which a blow to the chest disrupts the heart’s rhythm during a precise 40-millisecond window. Medical personnel administered CPR and used an automated external defibrillator on the field for about 10 minutes before his heartbeat was restored. He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition, where he was intubated and sedated as his medical team monitored his progress.
Over the following days, Hamlin showed steady improvement. He was eventually taken off a ventilator, was able to breathe on his own, and communicated with his family and team before being discharged on January 9, 2023. He continued rehabilitation at Buffalo General Medical Center and was released two days later to continue his recovery at home.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023–Present)
Hamlin was fully cleared to return to the NFL in April 2023. He made his first appearance since the cardiac arrest in the Bills’ preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 12, 2023, and played in all three preseason contests. After sitting as a healthy scratch for the first three regular-season games, he was activated in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins and played 18 snaps on special teams.
In November 2023, Hamlin logged his first defensive snaps since the on-field incident and recorded his first tackle during a Week 10 game against the Denver Broncos. He also contributed in the Bills’ Divisional Round playoff matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, taking a direct snap on a fake punt attempt. Although he was a leading candidate for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award, the honor ultimately went to Joe Flacco.
In 2024, Hamlin returned to a starting safety role after the Bills parted ways with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, notching his first career interception in a Week 3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the season as a first alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. On March 12, 2025, Hamlin re-signed with the Bills on a one-year, $2 million contract, though a pectoral injury later placed him on injured reserve in October 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Hamlin plays defense rather than drives a race car, his professional strengths mirror the discipline of a top-tier athlete. He is recognized for his tackling reliability, football intelligence, and ability to play in multiple roles across the secondary. His coaches have praised his preparation and adaptability, which allowed him to step into a starting role and later transition back to the field after a serious medical setback.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hamlin’s defining moment came on January 2, 2023, when he survived a commotio cordis event on national television. His recovery drew support from across the NFL and prompted renewed attention to AED access and CPR training. In 2023, he received the George Halas Award from the Pro Football Writers of America and presented the Pat Tillman Award to the Buffalo Bills training staff at the ESPYs.
Damar Hamlin Career Wins
Damar Hamlin’s professional résumé continues to build as a starting safety for the Buffalo Bills. While his primary statistical highlights come from tackles, pass breakups, and his first career interception in 2024, his most celebrated achievements center on his recovery and return to the field.
NFL Highlights
Hamlin’s first career interception came in Week 3 of the 2024 season during a 47–10 Bills win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also led Buffalo with 12 tackles and added a sack in a Week 9 game against the New York Jets in 2022, and he was named a first alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.
Other Performances
At the University of Pittsburgh, Hamlin was a multi-year starter who earned All-ACC second-team honors in 2020 and ACC Co-Defensive Back of the Week recognition after a strong showing against Virginia Tech. He finished his college career among the Panthers’ leading tacklers in multiple seasons.
Damar Hamlin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hamlin was raised in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, and his family roots remain tied to the Pittsburgh community. His uncle, Dorrian Glen, spoke publicly about Hamlin’s condition in the days following his on-field collapse, reflecting the family’s close involvement in his recovery.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Hamlin is a fashion entrepreneur who launched the clothing line Chasing Millions while attending the University of Pittsburgh. He founded the Chasing M’s Foundation, which organizes annual Christmas toy drives in his hometown and later expanded to fund scholarships for young people in the Cincinnati area. In 2025, he made cameo appearances as himself in two Hallmark Channel films, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story and The More the Merrier.
2025 Season Performance
Hamlin began the 2025 season with renewed purpose after re-signing with the Bills on a one-year, $2 million contract in March. He worked to maintain a starting role in Buffalo’s secondary following a strong 2024 campaign that ended with Pro Bowl alternate honors.
His season was interrupted in October 2025 when a pectoral injury in practice led to a placement on injured reserve, pausing his on-field contributions. Even so, Hamlin remained a vocal leader in the locker room and continued his off-field work with the Chasing M’s Foundation.
Looking ahead, Hamlin’s focus remains on returning to full health and reclaiming his starting position. With his contract running through 2026, he has the opportunity to extend his comeback story and continue building on his legacy as both an athlete and a community advocate.