7:54 p.m. ET
Alaina Getzenberg ESPN
BUFFALO, NY — Bill’s safety Damar Hamlin shared his first public comments since suffering cardiac arrest on Jan. 2 by posting a nearly six-minute video to his Instagram account on Saturday night, thanking everyone for the continued support and well wishes over the past month .
Hamlin, 24, said it was important for him to wait to speak publicly at “the right time” as it was “just a lot to process, mentally, physically, even spiritually”. The video was shot at the team’s facility in Orchard Park, New York. He included in the video that he continues to make progress in his recovery.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all of the love, all of the support, and everything that comes my way right now,” Hamlin said. “I think what happened to me on Monday Night Football is a direct example of God using me as a vehicle to share my passion and love with the whole world straight from my heart, and I can do it with children giving back and communities around the world who need it most and that has always been my dream. That’s what I’ve always stood for and what I will continue to stand for.”
The video comes nearly a week after Hamlin’s first public appearance during the Bills’ playoff loss to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. He was shown on the video board raising his hands in the shape of a heart, which has become his signature gesture, while also fueling the crowd.
As Hamlin continues to recover, he has been posting messages and photos to social media filled with updates and gratitude for everyone’s well wishes.
Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation raised over $8 million in the days following his hospitalization, with money channeling through GoFundMe for a toy drive with an original goal of $2,500. He said he was surprised by all the support.
“This was something that started long before I made it into the NFL, something that started small just to be able to impact my little community back home, McKees Rocks [Pennsylvania]’ Hamlin said. “I just wanted to be able to play my part and do my part in my community as I ventured out and chased my dreams of making the NFL and you guys just took that and blew it away and I’m delighted.” so excited about the things I have planned for the future for these kids across the country.”
Hamlin thanked the training, athletic and medical staff, first responders, and medical staff and healthcare providers at the Cincinnati and Buffalo hospitals, all of whom had played a role in saving his life, and pointed to many by name.
Hamlin stayed at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for almost a week after suffering cardiac arrest in the first quarter of the Bills’ Week 17 regular season game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. He then flew to New York and spent about two days at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute before being discharged on January 11th.
He went on to thank his parents Mario and Nina, “who are literally my anchors and my be-all and end-all, who have never left my side the whole time,” and his 7-year-old brother Damir, “who is my why, my That’s why I strive to be my best self every day.”
In the video, Hamlin thanked family, friends, teammates and the entire Bills organization for their continued caring and offering of support. He also paid tribute to the Bengals and the NFL as a whole for “putting aside team loyalty to get a foothold for a kid’s life,” with teams and the league showing their support for Hamlin in a variety of ways, from donations to prayer to t-shirts before games week 18.
“I’m not surprised,” Hamlin said, “but I am deeply grateful, and I will always be grateful and indebted to him.”
Hamlin also thanked fans, particularly the Bills Mafia, for their love and support, noting that all the children who sent him letters and gifts inspired him.
“It’s always been important to me to be a role model, but just seeing the love and support of the youth,” Hamlin said, “that makes me want to give back and go out into the communities and touch the kids and just be the example.” to look at, touch, feel, talk to and know that everything you dream of is real. It can happen if you stay focused, stay committed, commit yourself to whatever you’re going to do, you know, because that’s pretty much what got me here.”
Hamlin ended the video with his hands forming a heart.
“I will continue to do wonderful and great things,” said Hamlin. “I couldn’t do this without the support and love, and I can’t wait to continue taking you all on this journey.”