The last thing NFL fans needed after Damar Hamlin’s tragic collapse on the field at Paycor Stadium was yet another baseless conspiracy theory surrounding the league and its players. Even years later, handwringing over instances like deflate-gate or the no-call on an obvious pass interference in the NFC Championship Game in 2019 seems unnecessary.
But this conspiracy is different. Just weeks after Hamlin’s near-death collapse, fans and media personalities are taking it upon themselves to make claims of body doubles and foul play that are utterly baseless.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen was asked about these unfounded rumors on ESPN’s Kyle Brandt’s Basement podcast this week and made it clear that he has no time for these bizarre claims.
“That’s stupid,” Allen responded when asked about the conspiracy theories, seemingly unaware of the growing discourse around Hamlin’s appearance at the. “There [are] mainstream media outlets pushing this?”
.@JoshAllenQB reacts to the “Damar Hamlin body double” conspiracy theory.
🔗: https://t.co/C8MpyK4NfV pic.twitter.com/Cugk8Nd3PV
— Kyle Brandt’s Basement (@KBBasement) January 24, 2023
As Brandt laid out the half-baked reasoning behind the ordeal, including Hamlin’s attire for the Buffalo Bills game he attended last week, Allen seemed taken aback by the peculiar logic of those who are promulgating the nonsense theory.
“First of all, that’s Damar’s swag,” Allen explained, “He likes wearing that. Two, he was in the locker room with us pregame, so yes, that was Damar. [So] there is absolutely zero chance. Absolutely zero chance. That was the Damar Hamlin, that’s our guy, that’s our brother. He was with us pre-game, post-game, he was up in the suite with his family, his little brother. 100-percent.”
He would go on to urge the media and fans to stop promoting the conspiracy.
This phenomenon of baseless claims gaining attention through social or conventional media outlets is not new, but this particular case should serve as a reminder to all who come across it that, clearly, one can’t believe everything they read.
The fact remains that a wide audience witnessed a near-death moment on live television a few weeks ago. All who saw the event play out in real-time were shaken, and the conspiracy-minded individuals pushing fallacious information about what took place are only seeking to capitalize on what they see as an opportunity to either turn a buck, or actively misinform.
