Damar Hamlin has admitted that he is uncertain how he will feel to return to the site of his January 2 cardiac arrest this weekend but insisted he knows he will be supported by his family and teammates. 

10 months on from the terrifying incident that saw the Buffalo Bills safety be resuscitated on the field at Paycor Stadium after collapsing during the Week 17 matchup, the 25-year-old is set to return to the Bengals’ stadium Sunday. 

‘I don’t know what to expect. You know, this is unique to me as well,’ Hamlin told The New York Post. ‘All I know is I’m walking in with courage, I’m walking in with strength and I’m walking in with my brothers. You know, and I’m walking in with my mom, my dad, my family. And I’m walking into, you know, an environment of people that supported me the entire time.

‘They continue to support me, you know, on both ends. So, you know, it’s a lot of love. I can’t wait to receive it and give it and show my gratitude, you know, but ultimately we’re going up there to get a win.’ 

Hamlin made his official return to the field on October 1 but has been frequently inactive for games this season and he has admitted he is not sure if he will play in the Week 9 clash Sunday. 

Damar Hamlin insisted he will return to Cincinnati ‘with courage’ for this week’s game

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest following a hit from Tee Higgins on January 2 in Cincinnati 

The 25-year-old made his official return to the field on October 1 after his miraculous recovery

He has undeniably made a miraculous recovery and claimed his return to football has given him a new outlook on life. 

‘Man, I’m thankful for life. Honestly, I’m thankful to wake up, brush my teeth, have a meal. Take 10 Deep breaths. I’m thankful for everything,’ Hamlin said. 

‘Life is bigger than just ball for me and always will be until the day that I go, but to be able to do what I do at the highest level, I’m an extra level of thankful you know.

‘I’m super thankful to have my normal life back. But I’m extremely thankful to be able to continue to compete at the highest level and do what I love to do.’ 

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Hamlin acknowledged that Sunday won’t only be emotional for him but also his teammates and revealed that they had discussed what it could feel like for them all.

The Bills players had gathered around Hamlin as he received treatment led by Buffalo trainer Denny Kellington on the field in January, some with tears in their eyes. 

Hamlin publicly offered NBA superstar LeBron James and family his support after the Lakers forward’s eldest son, Bronny, suffered cardiac during USC training in summer. 

The Bills player has also used his own experience to launch initiatives to increase heart health awareness including his Chasing M’s Foundation’s CPR tour over the summer, which provided free hands-only CPR training. 

Buffalo Bills trainer Denny Kellington administered CPR to Hamlin on the field on January 2

Hamlin has admitted that Sunday will be emotional for his Bills teammates as well as himself  

The American Heart Association has worked with Hamlin and his #3forHeart CPR Challenge, a social media initiative that encourages people to learn CPR, donate money to support CPR research, education and training, and share the word with others. 

He met with President Joe Biden at the White House in March to discuss legislation on the expansion of AEDs programs in schools. 

Most recently, he partnered with healthcare company and medical device manufacturer Abbott on their HeartMates Program, which strives to create a community for those who have been impacted by heart conditions and their caregivers. 

Meanwhile, the NFL and American Heart Association teamed up to provide free CPR education at the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona in the build up to the Super Bowl February.

The Cardinals and Packers both donated defibrillators to local schools in the wake of Hamlin’s collapse.  

Hamlin said to have these initiatives occur in his honor provides him with more strength and courage to continue on his path to recovery and to continue his campaigning.