Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin reveals his complex feelings on missing out on the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Damar Hamlin appeared to be the closest thing to a lock for Comeback Player of the Year until he wasn’t.
After the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field during a January 2023 game, his return to football was hardly a concern as he fought for his life. Miraculously, Hamlin made a full recovery and was able to return to football just a few months later. He then proceeded to make the Bills’ 53-man roster, which led many to assume that he would win Comeback Player of the Year regardless of what happened.
That’s not what happened, though, as Joe Flacco came out of nowhere late in the season. The 37-year-old quarterback only played in five games for the Cleveland Browns, but he threw for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns in each of those games. As a result of Flacco’s performance and Hamlin playing very sparingly, the former stole the award right out from under the latter’s nose.
Many were upset with Hamlin losing the award, but after processing the initial disappointment, he has come to terms with the result.
“Yeah, I heard about that. Heard some people were in an uproar,” Hamlin said. “But, you know, I did at first. Not gonna lie. I did a little bit just because I’m a competitor myself. Any competition you put me in, I want to win. But I clapped for Joe (Flacco) as he went on stage and I clapped for him as he went off.
“At this point in my life, it’s truly God’s plan. God had a reason for him getting that trophy. God had a reason for his journey. I don’t want to discredit that any.”
Hamlin’s journey back to football is truly one-of-a-kind. Even though he didn’t win the award and even if he doesn’t play much going forward, nothing can take away from how special his coming back truly is.
“I truly feel with my journey, my comeback per se, it wasn’t a worldly thing. It wasn’t something that a trophy can define,” Hamlin explained. “God gave me his trophy of still waking up every day, still living, still breathing. Having a healthy life. Having a healthy family. Being blessed with every opportunity I’m placed in right now.”
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