There truly is no better comeback than a miraculous return from near death. That’s the case for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who won the Comeback Player of the Year Award on Friday. Hamlin winning the award has little to do with his play, with the safety collecting just two tackles during the regular season. Instead, the Pro Football Writers selected Hamlin for his journey back into the NFL. The Pittsburgh product nearly lost his life last year during a late-season contest, only return to game action this fall.
Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been selected as Comeback Player of the Year by @PFWAwriters.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) January 26, 2024
Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin: Wins Comeback Player of the Year
Hamlin barely played this season, but his comeback story remains remarkable. Hamlin collapsed during a Week 17 battle against the Cincinnati Bengals last season. First responders initiated CPR and AED for ten minutes. Ambulances rushed the defensive back to the hospital in critical condition. The team later confirmed Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and had an episode of commotio cordis.
Hamlin barely played this season, seeing action in five games. He tallied just two tackles. During last weekend’s playoff game, The 25-year-old had another two tackles in his team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He received a rush attempt during a fake punt but did not make the yardage for the first down. Hamlin also received Comeback Player of the Year votes last season, finishing 12th in voting.
Other CPOTY Candidates
Outside Damar Hamlin, Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco had the best odds to win Comeback Player of the Year. The 39-year-old signed with Cleveland late this season after the team struggled to replace the injured Deshaun Watson. Flacco played well, leading the Browns to a 4-1 record in five starts. He threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns against eight picks. The six-foot-six signal-caller had just five touchdown passes with the New York Jets during the 2022 season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and Los Angeles Rams gunslinger Matthew Stafford were also CPOTY candidates. Mayfield led the Bucs to the playoffs, throwing 28 touchdowns against ten picks. He played for the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams during the previous season, tossing ten touchdowns to eight picks. Meanwhile, Stafford also saw a massive increase in production. After an injury-riddled 2022, he, like Mayfield, led his team to the postseason.
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4 Comments
Awards are announced Feb. 8th. Maybe don’t spread misinformation.
This is PFWA CPOTY per article text and title.
I was just letting you know you Stafford as a charger. He’s on the rams, that’s all
thanks George!