Bills safety Damar Hamlin is one step closer to making his return to the football field. Tuesday was a monumental day at One Bills Drive as GM Brandon Beane revealed that Hamlin has been cleared for all football activities.
"He is fully cleared. He's here," Beane said during his pre-draft press conference. "He's in a great headspace to make his return."
Hamlin is in Buffalo and participating in the team's voluntary offseason workouts which started on Monday, according to Beane.
It's been a long road back for the Bills safety who went into cardiac arrest on field against the Bengals on Jan. 2 and needed life-saving measures by the Bills training staff on the field and the doctors at the hospital in Cincinnati.
Since the incident, Hamlin has made a remarkable recovery, according to doctors. The safety has voiced his desire to return and play football — Hamlin also met with President Joe Biden in March and said he planned to play football again. Beane confirmed that again today during his press conference.
"Damar is preparing to play," he said.
In addition, Beane shared that Hamlin has met with three specialists this offseason and all three specialists are in agreement that Hamlin has cleared the necessary protocols to receive clearance to begin football activities.
"Damar is preparing to play," Beane added.
From the uncertainty of his situation while in the hospital, to where he is now — training step-by-step with his teammates — Beane shared that it's been a tremendous feeling to see the progress Hamlin has made.
"He's such a great kid, such a great family. And it's exciting to, you know, to go from a guy who was fighting for his life, to he is now… you know, his story hasn't been written. Now, it's about the comeback," the GM said.
As Hamlin readjusts to the physical and mental hurdles of engaging in football workouts, Bills head coach Sean McDermott says the team will continue to provide him with whatever support he needs and are taking the process one step at a time.
"He's been cleared from a physical standpoint and we'll provide all the mental help we can from a mind, body and spirit standpoint. So just happy for him that he's been able to check some of those boxes to this point," McDermott said.
The Bills showed up to their team activities in Orchard Park Monday morning, with McDermott saying about "90%" of the team's current roster has reported.
Though the offense and defense have their offseason workouts at different times throughout the day this week, Allen said he knew Hamlin had the drive in him and the right mindset to go about his recovery.
"You're never going to doubt a guy like that who has had a lot of adversity in his life and he has continued to find ways," Allen said.
