The Buffalo Bills are nominating safety Damar Hamlin for the 2023 Ed Block Courage Award for his unwavering perseverance and resiliency in his journey to playing football again, as well as his love for his teammates and those in the community.
The Ed Block Courage Award is presented to the Buffalo Bills player who exemplifies a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. The recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength, dedication and serves as a community role model for others.
On January 2, 2023, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during the Monday Night football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a long road to recovery, the conducting of many test and different opinions from the best cardiologists in the country he was cleared to play before the start of the 2023 season.
After he was up and moving and expanded upon the Chasing M's Foundation to encourage young people to live their dreams, raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and inspire others who face adversity. His perseverance and resiliency through his journey to playing football again was not lost on anyone especially those of his teammates.
It was evident following the Monday night game when his first words were "Did we win?" His love and dedication towards his team is one of the many reasons that he was voted for the Ed Block Courage Award.
Past Bills winners of this award include Tre'Davious White and Jordan Poyer. The awards reception will take place on April 6, 2024 in Baltimore, MD and Hamlin will be joined by 31 other award representatives from each NFL team.
