ORCHARD PARK, NY — After two work periods to begin Tuesday’s offseason training activity (OTA), the Buffalo Bills began to stretch. Safety Damar Hamlin took his usual spot at the end of the defensive line, next to where pass-rusher Leonard Floyd, who signed his contract with the team Tuesday morning, was warming up.
Hamlin, with cameras pointed in his and Floyd’s direction, formed a heart with his hands and held up three fingers on each hand, symbolizing his number. It was the first time at an OTA practice open to the media that Hamlin wore his helmet and fully participated, a significant step up from playing football after suffering cardiac arrest during a game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.
General manager Brandon Beane said Hamlin donned his helmet for the first time during the final practice session last week, making his first day of helmet use Wednesday.
“Really proud of him for taking the next step,” Beane said. “[I] he texted his parents [Nina and Mario Hamlin] afterwards, like, so proud of him and excited about where he is on his journey. He still has more milestones to hit, but remembering, it’s the beginning of June and that was the beginning of January, and we were just hoping he would live, and now he not only has a normal life, but we’re talking about playing, not just any football, NFL football. So I’m excited for him, for all the people that have been around him, and it’s an incredible story.”
Hamlin’s practice was largely a normal OTA day, including a tight defense against running back Nyheim Hines on a thrown ball downfield that fell incomplete. With just under a half hour to go in practice, Hamlin was in close coverage with wide receiver KeeSean Johnson on a pass from quarterback Kyle Allen and both fell to the ground while vying for the catch. Hamlin was slow to get up, with other defensive backs helping him. On the sideline, Hamlin tossed his helmet to the ground in frustration and the coaches looked at his right shoulder/arm area. Hamlin was able to fully return to the field.
The next step for Hamlin, according to Beane, will be to put on pads and tackle him during training camp as the team works him into their rhythm. Beane said he doesn’t expect Hamlin to start camp at either PUP or NFI.
“We’re just improving his, getting his reps up and he’s great, he’s mentally ready to play. He knows the defense. He’s a junior. He’s all of that,” Beane said. “…I thought it was really important to him, if he could and he felt like he was ready, you know, this is a two-way communication. It’s not us saying, ‘You’ve got to do this.'” He’s worked very hard on the mental side of it, physically he’s all clear, but this is a real problem mentally after being where he was. But the next thing will be when we get to St. John Fisher. [University, for training camp] …over the next week, at minicamp, we will continue to strengthen him, with our helmets on.”
Hamlin, 25, announced that he was physically cleared to play again in April. He has been to every session open to the media since, but he did not wear his helmet or participate in individual or team exercises as he did on Tuesday.
In April, Hamlin said the mental journey and roller coaster of emotions is the “toughest hurdle,” but that he had support at the Bills’ facility.
“I have no idea what it’s like for him. I think he’s the only one who could answer that,” said safety coach Joe Danna, who was hired this offseason. “Really, I’ve just tried to take the approach of trying to support whatever he wants, his goals, take it day by day and try to train him, get better, but it’s great to see him out there.”
On Saturday, Hamlin announced he would launch a CPR tour, which began in Buffalo and will include stops in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, with CPR training and AED distribution to support youth sports and community groups.