Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Achieves First Career Interception

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety, achieved a significant milestone Monday night by intercepting a pass for the first time in his NFL career. This achievement comes as part of Hamlin’s inspiring comeback journey following a life-threatening incident that occurred almost 18 months ago.

During the Monday night game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hamlin successfully intercepted a pass thrown by Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter. The pass, intended for Brian Thomas Jr., was overthrown, allowing Hamlin to make his move. He returned the interception for 19 yards, a play that energized both him and his teammates as he returned to the sidelines to their congratulations.

Hamlin’s interception was pivotal, subsequently setting up a scoring opportunity for the Bills. Shortly after the interception, Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir, elevating Buffalo’s lead to 27-3 with just over two minutes remaining in the first half.

Now in his fourth year, Hamlin secured a starting position with the Buffalo Bills as part of the team’s revamped secondary lineup. His return to the field has been gradual since the cardiac arrest incident that caused him to collapse during a game in Cincinnati, necessitating immediate life-saving interventions. Initially drafted in the sixth round out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2021, Hamlin had started in 13 games during the 2022 season before his incident.

As Hamlin continues his professional journey, his recent on-field performance not only highlights his resilience but also marks an important step in his athletic career, earning admiration from fans and players alike.