Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has broken his silence in a direct message to his supporters.
Hamlin says he’ll be “forever thankful” to his supporters who he credits with getting him through the “toughest moments and the toughest times.”
“I’ll be forever thankful and indebted to that,” Hamlin said.
The video is the first time Hamlin has been seen properly since he was released from the hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest earlier this month.
The NFL star promised to do even more charity work than before because he believes God’s plan is to use him as a vessel for good.
“Now that my brothers have closed out a strong, winning season, as I continue to make so much progress recovering, I think it’s finally a good time to share a few things,” he told fans.
“I think it was important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time, as it was just a lot to process within my own self mentally, physically, even spiritually, it’s just been a lot to process.
“But I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support, and everything that’s just been coming my way.
“What happened to me on ‘Monday Night Football’ I feel is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world and I’m able to give it back to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most, and that’s always been my dream.
“That’s always been what I stood for and what I will continue to stand for.
“That was something that was started even way before I made it to the NFL, something that was started small just to be able to affect my small community back at home, McKees Rocks [Pennsylvania].
“I just wanted to be able to play my role and do my part in my community as I ventured off and to chase my dreams of making the NFL, and you guys have just took that and blown it away, and I’m so excited for the things that I have planned in the future for these kids all across the country now.”
“It’s always been important for me to be a role model, but just seeing the love and the support from the youth, it just makes me want to give back and get out in the communities and touch the kids and just be that example that they can look to, touch, feel, talk to and know that whatever they dream of, it’s real.
“It can happen if you stay focused, stay dedicated, stay committed to whatever you got going on, you know because that’s pretty much what got me here.”
“I will continue to do wonderful and great things.
“I couldn’t do this without any of the support and the love, and I can’t wait to continue to take y’all on this journey with me.
“With this happening to me, I didn’t feel anything short of the love, and it really helped me stay encouraged to get through the toughest moments and the toughest times.
“I really can’t thank you enough. I’m, not surprised by it, but I’m deeply grateful.
“I’ll be forever thankful and indebted to that.”
WATCH:
Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin shares a special thank you message. 💙
📽️: @BuffaloBillspic.twitter.com/kofc1ycOvw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 29, 2023
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