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Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin has made headlines this week for two significant reasons.
Firstly, he gave his teammates matching gifts and, secondly, he announced his plan to donate approximately $10 million raised from two online fundraisers to his Chasing M’s Foundation.
Gifts to Teammates
Hamlin gifted Beats by Dr. Dre headphones to his teammates and included a heartfelt note titled “A letter to my brothers.” In the letter, Hamlin expressed his gratitude for his team’s support during his recovery from cardiac arrest in January.
He wrote, “I appreciate you all for the support through my tough times. Knowing I had you guys riding behind me made the process that much easier getting back healthy. Know that you have a brother for life in me.”
Hamlin’s Instagram stories showcased the gifts of wide receivers Gabe Davis and KeeSean Johnson, defensive end Greg Rousseau, and defensive tackle Brandin Bryant.
Donation to Chasing M’s Foundation
Hamlin announced that the roughly $10 million raised for him after his cardiac arrest would be donated to his charity, the Chasing M’s Foundation.
The foundation, which Hamlin applied for retroactive tax-exempt status in Pennsylvania earlier this month, aims to support youth and community members through sports and education.
It also aims to promote health and safety in sports through CPR and AED training.
Hamlin originally set up a GoFundMe campaign for a local toy drive, but the fundraiser quickly exploded, raising millions in a matter of days.
The Giving Back Fund also organized another online campaign for Hamlin.
Hamlin’s Road to Recovery and Charitable Efforts
Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the field during a game on January 2 shocked the sports world, leaving many worried that he might not recover.
But after nine days in the hospital, the Bills safety was discharged and began his road to recovery. He has since become one of the most inspirational figures in sports today.
In February, he gave a speech at the NFL Honors awards, where he spoke about his newfound “purpose greater than any game in this world” to raise awareness about heart health.
In March, he met with President Joe Biden at the White House and later appeared in front of Congress to speak in support of the Access to AEDs Act, which aims to help place more defibrillators in schools.
Last month, the Bills announced that doctors had “fully cleared” Hamlin to play football again, and he told fans he’s been making “so much progress.”
Hamlin’s generous gifts to his teammates and his commitment to using his platform for good have endeared him to many fans, teammates, and fellow athletes.
The Buffalo Bills will undoubtedly benefit from his return to the field this fall, but it is clear that Hamlin’s impact goes far beyond football.
He is a true inspiration, both on and off the field, and his charitable efforts will undoubtedly make a significant difference in the lives of many young people.
