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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin recorded his first career interception during his team's Monday Night Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hamlin, 26, intercepted Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter, which set up a five-play, 41-yard drive capped off by a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Allen to wide receiver Khalil Shakir. The interception came less than two years after Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field during the Bills' Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January 2023.
A stretcher and ambulance came onto the field and CPR was administered by first responders. Hamlin was hospitalized at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and initially reported to be in critical condition before making a miraculous recovery, which coincided with an outpouring of support from players, coaches and fans.
A GoFundMe page initially launched by Hamlin's Chasing M's Foundation to support a toy drive prior to his medical situation -- and later to support his recovery after far exceeding its $2,500 goal -- raised more than $9 million. The Pittsburgh native was released from UC Medical Center one week after suffering cardiac arrest and discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute after completing a series of tests and evaluations two days later.
Hamlin made his return to football during the 2023 season in a limited role and, after making 13 starts in 15 appearances prior to his cardiac arrest in 2022, has started in all three games for the Bills in 2024.