Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was inspired when he had a surprise visit with Zeke, a teenage athlete returning to the track after heart surgery.
In the recording, which was broadcast last night on NBC Evening News with Lester HoltHamlin, 25, tells correspondent Priscilla Thompson how Zeke’s story resonated with him.
“I knew the path it takes to be able to go through something very difficult, very challenging, and be able to change your mind and not let it determine what you want to do with your life or who you want to become,” says Hamlin, who returned last season to the NFL after his own health scare.
On January 2, 2023, a Bills safety had to be resuscitated on the field during a game and was taken to the hospital in critical condition; Hamlin was released after nine days in a Cincinnati hospital and continued his recovery in Buffalo.
Bills safety says, “It’s inspiring” to watch Zeke “move beyond” his situation after his “football dreams were robbed” by his heart condition.
“He had to switch to band and track and other passions that he had, and to excel in those passions, that inspires me,” Hamlin says in the clip.
Damar Hamlin cries as he pays tribute to first responders who saved his life at ESPYS: ‘It’s a blessing’
During the conversation with Thompson, the Buffalo Bills safety said he feels “super blessed to still be able to play football and be in the NFL” after his health scare, “but it’s been a process of figuring out if I’m going to be able to,” he explains.
Damar Hamlin. Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Damar Hamlin reveals cause of cardiac arrest: ‘Leading cause of death in young athletes’
It was important for Hamlin to meet Zeke in person, who told Thompson that he prefers to “get on the front lines and really do the work” when it comes to his community involvement and advocacy for heart health awareness. Hamlin says it’s “much more honest” and “meaningful” for him to personally meet inspiring athletes who overcome adversity so he can connect with them.
Immediately after completing his first season in the NFL, Hamlin spoke with PEOPLE about the emotional comeback. “It was a journey. It was an emotional journey. It was very difficult at first,” he said.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I learned a lot about myself, about who I was, about what I stood for, about trying to get back to myself. It was one of my hardest obstacles, but I did it while being around all these great people , all these great people who stand for a lot of good things, who checked me, who pushed me and who motivated me.”
Hamlin added, “It wasn’t about anything else but just us, and one thing I love about football is just the camaraderie and brotherhood that you build behind the scenes and in the locker room. That’s been the best thing for me, my brothers checking each other out every second how good I am, but they also push me to be better.”
Hamlin’s entire meeting with Zeke aired Thursday on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt at 6:30 PM ET.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education