Football player Damar Hamlin who suffered cardiac arrest is committed to faith and family

Football fans across the nation were in prayer when Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills suffered cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football this week. The 24-year-old remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital.

Dorrian Glenn, Hamlin’s uncle, told ESPN’ Tuesday evening that Hamlin remains sedated and “improving from where he was yesterday,” adding, “We are just going to continue to pray, and I know he is in great hands with the medical team he has here. They have been doing a tremendous job.”

Hamlin is a devout Christian who attended a Catholic high school. He attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and was a standout on the school’s football team. Hamlin was team captain and a heavily recruited all-state team member, winning awards such as being named the division’s defensive player of the year.

“Central Catholic High School is praying for the well-being and swift recovery of Damar Hamlin, ‘16,” the school’s Twitter account posted on Monday night. “May the Lord be with him and his family during this most difficult time. Hamlin collapsed during the Monday Night Football game against the @Bengals on 1-02-23.”

After high school, Hamlin attended the University of Pittsburgh so he could remain close to his family. During his college years, the athlete reportedly opened up about his faith, stating, “My faith is in God. So whatever he has planned for me, that’ll be it.”

The football star’s family, particularly his mother Nina, are important to Hamlin. Nina was at the game Monday when her son suddenly collapsed on the field. The ambulance took off to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after Nina was rushed from the stands to be by her son’s side.

Announcement directly from Damar’s family: pic.twitter.com/MdzgxUmVfg

— Jordon Rooney (@jordonr) January 3, 2023

Hamlin was born to Nina and Mario Hamlin in 1998 when they were just 16 years old. Mario reportedly served more than three years behind bars in connection to drug dealing while Hamlin was still young.

“I’m extremely close to my family,” Hamlin told a TV station in 2021. “My mom, she was 16 when she had me and I just try to think about when I was 16 years old. and I just couldn’t imagine having a little boy. It was probably so stressful, but both of my parents had me young, at 16and pretty much since that point they put everything they had into me to get me to where we are right now today.”.

Support has flooded in from fans, pastors, football players, and commentators, Many asked for healing in the name of Jesus  Pastor Tony Evans saying he is “joining with so many others at this time to pray for Damar Hamlin’s full recovery.” He says he is also asking the Lord for “comfort and strength to be given to Damar’s family, coaches and teammates.”

Worship leader Sean Feucht posted, “The players praying on the field was a powerful sign. Healing in Jesus name.” and Tim Tebow asked fans to join him in prayer for Hamlin.

In a time where America is fighting the pains of division and hatred, the ability for people to come together and unite around eternal hope is miraculous. Pray that Damar Hamlin would have a quick recovery in Jesus name and that his family would encounter the peace and comfort of the Lord.

A GoFundMe started by Hamlin blew up online following the injury. The athlete sought in 2020 to reach a goal of $2,500 to help kids in his community through his Chasing M Foundation. As of Wednesday, more than $4 million had been fundraised. Hamlin’s family released a statement thanking fans and both teams for their support and prayers.

–Alan Goforth MV