Just over a year after experiencing cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was named a Finalist for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award last week.
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Considering the grueling recovery process that Hamlin endured in order to play football again, it's no surprise that he was listed as one of the five Finalists — which also included quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, and Tua Tagovailoa.
The finalists for AP Comeback Player of the Year! #NFLHonors@gillette @Headshoulders @oldspice @tide pic.twitter.com/UfLpiMrVJg
— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2024
Yet, Hamlin is still humbled by the honor.
During a conversation with Paulina Dedaj of Fox News that was published Tuesday morning, Hamlin said of his selection, "All the steps that it took getting back to playing football - offseason, season, training camp, putting the helmet on - all of that was a process. And it's still a process, and I think it will forever be a process as long as I decide to continue to play. But I'm built for it. Where we come from and the things that we overcame to even make it to the NFL, we're all testimonial stories."
As soon as Hamlin made his season debut against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, he was considered the runaway favorite to win Comeback Player of the Year.
Although after Joe Flacco's excellent play for the Cleveland Browns late in the season, propelling them to a 4-1 record in their final five regular season games and earning them a trip to the playoffs, many people believe that Flacco deserves the award over Hamlin.
Joe Flacco is not one of those people.
While speaking on CBS Sports Radio's "Zach Gelb" show last week, Flacco said that Hamlin should "For sure" win the Comeback Player of the Year award over him and the other three quarterback candidates.
"I'm just coming back from being old and not being on a team for a couple months."-@JoeFlacco
Joe Flacco says Damar Hamlin should win Comeback Player of the Year. @CBSSportsRadio @HamlinIsland pic.twitter.com/agmBivvBN5
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) January 26, 2024
"I just think mentally to get yourself back to the point where you feel comfortable doing that kind of thing, obviously the physical part doesn't need any explanation, but the mental part, especially at his position, is pretty cool," Flacco said.
The Comeback Player of the Year winner will be revealed at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 8th. While Hamlin securing the award isn't a sure thing, one would imagine that Flacco's endorsement might seal the deal for the inspiring Bills safety.
