Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was at the Timberwolves game Monday night when news broke that Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin had collapsed on the field following a routine tackle. Phillips signed with the Vikings this past offseason, but he previously played for the Bills, so he knows Hamlin quite well. In fact, Phillips and Hamlin had lockers near each other back when Phillips was still playing for the Bills.
After hearing the news about Hamlin, Phillips first prayed for Hamlin, but then he tried to think of how he could help his former teammate from afar. He did so by catering for everyone on the ICU floor.
Vikings DL Harrison Phillips, who played 4 years for the Bills, bought dinner for Damar Hamlin's family, the team training staff who are with him in Cincinnati + the ICU doctors/nurses. His Harrison's Playmakers charity has a portal for donations:https://t.co/b4PB0Hsgnp
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 4, 2023
Phillips didn’t stop there with his kind heart. He is known throughout the league as being a community guy and has been nominated in the past for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. So it comes as no surprise that Phillips wanted to help in this situation as well.
Phillips said he stayed up until the Bills landed on Monday night. "Once I heard they were going to get some sleep, I tried to get some sleep myself."
On Tuesday, he started making phone calls, and connected with a nurse in Cincinnati who recommended places that cater meals.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) January 4, 2023
Phillips, along with the rest of the NFL and its fans, are hoping and praying for Hamlin’s recovery. In the meantime, these kind gestures, like the one Phillips displayed, make a bad situation just a little bit better.
