Two years after collapsing on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Damar Hamlin is proud of how far he’s come.
The Buffalo Bills safety, 26, is in New Orleans ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl and stopped by the SiriusXM set at Media Row. There, he opened up to PEOPLE about how he’s feeling “amazing.” Hamlin, who returned to the field seven months after the Jan. 2, 2023 incident, added that he knows just how lucky he is.
“Overall, I just feel like I’m enjoying this second chance at life,” he says. “I’m being urgent with it…and I recommend everyone do that same thing. Everyone should give second chances when they have the opportunity to and if you get one, man, make the most of it because they’re not easy to come by.”
Josh Allen and his teammates react after Damar Hamlin was injured on the field on Jan. 2, 2023. Kirk Irwin/Getty
Hamlin explains that the incident — which doctors say was caused by commotio cordis — not only changed his outlook on life, it also led him to “grow up.”
“I think I’ve changed for the better, having to get over the fear, get over the anxiety, the doubt – I learned a lot about myself,” he says. “I learned how powerful I am, how strong I am, I learned that I can do anything I want to do if I put my mind to it.”
And now when he hits the field in blue and red, he has “no fear at all,” due in part to the space he was given to navigate how to move forward.
Damar Hamlin with PEOPLE in the SiriusXM set at Media Row.
Cindy Ord/Getty
“With that time that I had it created a little bit more hunger in me. I’ve always had belief in myself, I knew what I was capable of, so that hunger, that time, along with like self belief it brewed up everything that I was able to accomplish this year,” he says. “I still feel like there’s so much more room to grow, That’s my favorite part about it right now — I still feel like I’m not at the ceiling yet.”
In addition to getting back to the game, Hamlin has also devoted his time to a partnership with Abbottthrough their HeartMates program, which gives others who have been impacted by a cardiovascular condition a community to share their experiences.
“We’ve been able to do some dope stuff with the HeartMates,” Hamlin says, explaining they recently facilitated a mock draft in New York City where participants came up to sign a “contract” to officially be a part of the program.
And though the Bills did not make it to the big game this year, Hamlin says he’s proud of the work he put in this season.
“I’m super proud of myself, like, pat on the back,” he says, reaching over his shoulder. “I’ve been giving myself one of those for the last week and a half ever since the season ended.”
When asked if he is taking any of the energy from the Bills final game of the season — a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs which ultimately cost them their spot in the Super Bowl — Hamlin admits that its playing a small part in his decision on who to root for.
Travis Kelce and Damar Hamlin.
Todd Rosenberg/Getty
“I want the Eagles to win — I’ll put that out there,” he says. “Because I want Sequan [Barkley] to get a Super Bowl. I want Jalen Hurts to get a Super Bowl. I think what they did this year was like top notch.”
But, when it comes to the Patrick Mahomes led-Chiefs, who would make history as the first team to win the Super Bowl three times in a row if they win on Sunday, Hamlin gives credit where credit is due.
“I respect greatness, just seeing former players, who have a legacy in this league and a name to them because of the work that they’ve done. I respect that. I think that matters in the world,” he says. “I respect what the Chiefs are right at the door of doing. I can honestly say that, I respect what they’re doing, so I wouldn’t mind them being able to make history.”
