Damar Hamlin makes emotional return to Cincinnati: NPR

Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin took 10 Cincinnati medical staff to dinner — and told them he was setting up scholarships in their names. He’s seen here before the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Zach Bollinger/AP

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Zach Bollinger/AP

Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin took 10 Cincinnati medical staff to dinner — and told them he was setting up scholarships in their names. He’s seen here before the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Zach Bollinger/AP

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin used his team’s road trip to Cincinnati over the weekend as a way to say thank you again to the 10 medical personnel who worked to save his life last January.

“Last night I had dinner with my heroes,” Hamlin said He said on Xformerly Twitter.

The NFL player hosted medical personnel for dinner at Jeff Ruby Steakhouse in Cincinnati, but he had more up his sleeve, too.

“I surprised them with a scholarship in each of their names that will support young people at Cincy to achieve their dreams,” Hamlin said Sunday.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them!” he added.

The scholarships are the latest payback from Hamlin

Hamlin, 25, needed emergency care on Jan. 2, when he collapsed on the field in cardiac arrest during a game at Bengals Baycor Stadium. The 10 men and women helped Hamlin on the field, in the operating room and in his recovery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

In their honor, Hamlin and the Chasing M You will be awarded a scholarship worth $1,000 to 10 underserved youth in the Cincinnati area, with the goal of helping youth looking to attend private high schools or local trade schools and universities. The program is scheduled to continue over the next three years.

Hamlin himself took advantage of a scholarship to Penn State that opened the way for him to attend a private school in Pittsburgh and use his football talents to launch a successful college and NFL career.

“Dammar continues to surprise and inspire us.” UC Health said In response to the grant announcement. “We were honored to spend last night with him!”

An emotional Hamlin returned to Cincinnati

Sunday’s game was the Bills’ first NFL game in Cincinnati since Hamlin’s distress forced officials to stop the game after he collapsed. When he ran onto the field to warm up Received Tee Higgins from Bengals And other players.

On January 2, Hamlin was in the process of tackling Higgins when he was hit hard in the chest. When Hamlin tried to walk, he fell onto the grass. Emergency workers were able to restore his heartbeat in the field.

After Sunday night’s game, Hamlin returned to the field alone, sitting near the Bengals’ team logo at midfield.

“Tonight was everything for me” He said“You don’t know the half of it. Believe me.”

Hamlin has appeared in just one game so far this season, but he’s staying busy: his foundation is starting to crumble CPR round With the American Heart Association this summer, she will visit Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to provide free CPR training to hundreds of people and distribute automated external defibrillators to youth sports groups.

Death from sudden cardiac arrest is much less common among young athletes than among the general population, but it is the leading cause Main cause of death For the group, according to the Mayo Clinic. Causes can range from genetic conditions to cardiac concussion — a sharp impact to the chest that leads to cardiac arrest.

Hamlin’s terrifying collapse affected people beyond core NFL fans, and his recovery has been cheered by millions of people. It also sparked interest in his philanthropic work — even in college, Hamlin created a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a toy drive for children in his local community outside of Pittsburgh.

More than $9 million Donations to the fund It came from over 22,000 sources.