The most remarkable moment of Wednesday night’s ESPY awards was unquestionably the presentation of the Pat Tillman Award for Service. It was presented by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac incident on the field during the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2.
When Hamlin took the stage, the entire audience, filled with the biggest names in sports, all rose to their feet. If you can get through the subsequent embrace without getting a bit teary-eyed… well, good luck with that.
This moment. 🫶
Damar Hamlin was moved to tears introducing the Bills training staff who saved his life as they were honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the @ESPYS. pic.twitter.com/uxbo1IcfYF
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 13, 2023
Never enough praise for this group of heroes. 🫶@ESPYS | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/To1dcqlM0J
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 13, 2023
On January 5, two physicians from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center — William Knight IV, MD, who is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Timothy Pritts, MD (Professor in the Department of Surgery and Division Chief of General Surgery) held a virtual press conference with members of local and national media to update everybody on Hamlin’s condition.
Perhaps the most remarkable quote came when the doctors revealed that Hamlin was awake, had what appeared to be full neurological function, and asked his care team who won the game.
Dr. Pritts specifically mentioned the efforts of the Bills’ training staff, who rushed onto the field and quite possibly saved Hamlin’s life with their quick and precise work.
Hamlin was fully cleared for football activities in April, and participated in minicamp practices in June.
