USATSI
The lowlight of the 2022 NFL season happened in Week 17, when the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals Monday night time matchup was canceled after Bills security Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the sector. Hamlin was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center through ambulance, the place he was listed in crucial situation for a number of days.
That lowlight shortly become a spotlight, nevertheless, as Hamlin finally recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Thursday night time on the NFL Honors, Hamlin — together with the group of medical doctors and assistants that helped save his life — took the stage. The security delivered highly effective remarks in regards to the journey he had been on, making it the must-see occasion of the night.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott beforehand credited assistant athletic coach Denny Kellington with being one of many key employees members that saved Hamlin’s life, and he was rewarded Thursday night time with an official fifth-place vote for NFL MVP.
Per the Associated Press, the vote got here from ESPN’s Suzy Kolber. She mentioned that it was a “symbolic gesture representing ‘everybody’ who carries the burden of that job, each week. They not often get the popularity they deserve.”
While Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes formally received MVP, no vote carried extra weight than the one Kellington acquired. Per Buffalo News, Kellington has been a member of the Bills since 2017 after a profession at Syracuse.
“Every day I’m amazed that my experiences inspired so many others throughout the nation and even internationally,” Hamlin mentioned on Thursday night time. “Encouraged to wish, inspired to unfold love, and inspired to maintain combating regardless of the circumstances.
“Sudden cardiac arrest was nothing that I’d have ever chosen to be part of my story, however that is as a result of generally our personal visions are too small even once we suppose we’re seeing the larger image. My imaginative and prescient was about taking part in within the NFL and being the perfect participant that I might be, however God’s plan was to have a goal higher than any recreation on this world. My complete life, I felt like God was utilizing me to present others hope. And now, with a brand new set of circumstances, I can solely say he is doing what he is at all times achieved. I’ve an extended journey forward. A journey stuffed with unknowns and a journey stuffed with milestones, however it’s so much simpler to face your fears when you already know your goal.”
