Damar Hamlin Honors Medical Staff Who Saved His Life With Scholarships

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin almost died the last time his team was in Paycor Stadium to play the Cincinnati Bengals.

On Jan. 2, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field by medical professionals in an event that made headlines (beyond the sports pages) nationwide. Making his return Sunday night, Hamlin was inactive for the game. But, over the weekend, he treated the 10 University of Cincinnati Medical Center staffers to dinner and surprised each one of them with a scholarship in their name.

Yahoo Sports reports Hamlin’s charity, Chasing M’s, will award $1,000 in scholarships over the next three years to “support youth in Cincy to chase their dreams.”

Hamlin founded Chasing M’s to pay it forward after attending Central Catholic High School on a scholarship which set him on a path to play in the NFL.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to set up a scholarship program to honor this team of professionals—my Cincinnati heroes—who helped save my life,” Hamlin said in a statement, according to Yahoo Sports.

“Today, as I look at honoring these Cincinnati heroes and lifting up young people who are trying to find their way, I’m reminded of the enormous blessing I’ve been given through my charity and the generosity of people around the world.”

Hamlin has only played in one game this season due to a logjam at the safety position.

The Bills were defeated by the resurgent Bengals, 24-18. Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 26 of 38 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, but also threw an interception as the Bengals defense stifled the Bills for most of the game.

The loss puts the Bills at 5-4 on and on the outside of the playoff picture with eight games left in the season.

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