- Content: ‘All God’s Timing’: Damar Hamlin on His Return to Football
By Movieguide® Contributor
Before his first day back in full pads, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin admitted he was a bit nervous to be back on the practice field.
But by the end of day one, he felt like he had never left.
“It feels amazing. It’s a roller coaster of emotions. I was kind of all over the place, just kind of being back for the first time. But God don’t make no mistakes. I’m on God’s timing. As much as the NFL is on schedule and camp starts this day, this is all God’s timing,” Hamlin told ESPN in a post-practice press conference.
He added, “I pretty much lost my life playing this sport. So, to come back and do it all over again, it’s all over the place. I’m rooted in my faith. I’m rooted in the love that I receive from my family, my teammates and the love all around the world. That keeps me going. And I’ve got goals that I still want to achieve within this game.”
During a January game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after being hit in the chest. Emergency personnel and athletic trainers tended to him, and he was down for 15 minutes before being transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Nine days later, Hamlin was released from the hospital, and a few months after, Hamlin was cleared to participate at full capacity for training camp.
Although he had an uneventful return to practice, the fear “here and there” won’t ever leave him. He will carry that feeling with him forever, even after he retires, he expressed.
However, Hamlin is rooted so deeply in his faith that he plans to embrace every moment that comes his way as an opportunity to represent God.
Yahoo! Sports reported that Hamlin said, “I wish I could do this process under a rock…just to myself and pop out whenever I felt like I was super, super duper, you know, ready to be a Pro Bowler. But I think it’s power in being out here every day and doing my process in front of the world, and I always wanted to stand for something bigger than myself. It was my goal my whole life.”
Movieguide® previously reported a prayer Hamlin spoke over himself before his return to the field:
In another post from July 26, Hamlin went a little deeper and prayed over himself as he entered training camp for the first time.
He wrote, “God you walked these steps before me, to meet me here & to tell me that everything will be just fine. My faith is stronger than any doubt, any panic or any fear. When I’m down & feel defeated give me the strength to stand tall & keep pushing to carry out your mission. Cover me in all these moments God. Every breath I take is filled with your strength and your guidance. It’s not easy, but I know it will all be worth it 1 day at a time. I know you got my back. This is a letter to you & you only.. thank you.”
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