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“Trying to Process the Trauma”: Damar Hamlin Reveals the Contrast Between His Physical and Mental State in the Aftermath of His Near-Death Experience

Published 02/14/2023, 2:42 AM EST

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Damar Hamlin is a walking miracle. The Bills safety’s collapse is an event that won’t be erased from the NFL world’s memory any time soon. A cardiac arrest at the age of 24, especially in an athlete at the peak of physical prowess, was a jarring reality check for many. But Hamlin’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous.

Weeks after nearly losing his life, the safety gave his first interview. Here’s what he had to say on his second chance at life.

Damar Hamlin opens up about the difficulties of dealing with his traumatic experience

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The questions that have plagued the NFL world were finally answered as Damar Hamlin tried to articulate what he went through. While the safety was hesitant to relive memories of that fateful night, he tried his best to put the situation into perspective. Speaking to Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan, Hamlin showed gratitude for his “savior.”

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The safety emphasized that he owed Buffalo Bills athletic trainer Denny Kellington his life. The trainer resuscitated the safety after he collapsed on the field by administering CPR. While Hamlin looks like he’s on the mend and almost back to normal, on the mental front, he’s still processing the enormity of what he experienced.

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Speaking about his physical well-being, the safety said, I’m doing great. Every morning and every night I take ten deep breaths to [sic] myself. It puts everything in perspective for me. On the other hand, Hamlin’s emotional progress is an uphill climb. He said, I’m still working through things, I’m still trying to process the trauma that comes from dealing with a situation like that and not really having people around and no one in my immediate circle who had dealt with something like that. As the safety continues to work through all that has happened, his full recovery remains the priority.

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Hamlin is an inspiration to the NFL world

Damar Hamlin’s dedication is truly remarkable. After gaining consciousness, his first thoughts were about the game the Bills were playing that fateful night. He enquired about the outcome of the game, not knowing that no one had taken the field after his collapse.

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While Hamlin’s goal is to make it back to the field, the road ahead is long. But, the safety has given the Buffalo Bills the courage to move forward. His reassuring presence at games indicated that despite what had happened, he was back. From the brink of losing his life, Damar Hamlin’s road to recovery is something that the NFL world will always be grateful for.

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Watch This Story: After NFL’s Damar Hamlin’s petrifying situation, the focus has turned from the playoffs to the health and well-being of the Buffalo Bills player

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Written by:

Anika Gomez

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Anika Gomez is an NFL writer at Essentially Sports. She holds a degree in Journalism, Psychology, and Communicative English from the National School of Journalism and Public Discourse. Anika loves American Football, Formula 1, Basketball, and Tennis.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas