Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been selected as the 2023 George Halas Award winner. The PFWA announced Hamlin as the recipient of the award on Monday afternoon.
The award goes to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during Week 17's game against the Bengals and had to be resuscitated on the field. The safety was then rushed to the hospital in critical condition but was discharged within days as he began to make a miraculous recovery thanks to the team at UC Health. Within two weeks, Hamlin was back in Buffalo cheering on his teammates as they defeated the Dolphins in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
In mid-April, Hamlin met with the media for the first time since the cardiac arrest episode and announced he would return to football.
"My heart is still in the game," Hamlin expressed. "I love the game. It's something I want to prove to myself and not nobody else. I want to show people that fear is a choice and that you can keep going."
Just over four months ago Hamlin was in critical condition, and it was unsure to what level he would recover. Now, he's made a full recovery and is back practicing with his teammates as he prepares for his third NFL season.
The last Buffalo Bill to win the award was tight end Kevin Everett in 2008.
