Buffalo Bills
2023 Courage Award Winner
- Position S
- Height 6-0
- Weight 200 lbs
- NFL Exp. 3 yrs
Damar Hamlin attended Pittsburgh’s Central Catholic High School, where he rose to become the top-rated defensive player in Pennsylvania according to Rivals and 247Sports and a top 150 overall recruit nationally for his class and won the Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year before attending the University of Pittsburgh which is only a few blocks from where he went to high school. He became a full-time starter of the Panthers in 2018 where he led Pitt in tackles and interceptions and for his contributions on the field, in the classroom and in the community through by launching Chasing M’s as a way to give back through toy drives, kids camps, back-to-school drives, and more, he was voted as a team captain for his final two years at Pitt leading in multiple categories before declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft.
After leading the Pitt Panthers in pass breakups and tackles and a solid showing at the Senior Bowl, Hamlin was chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. With the Bills secondary being patrolled by all-pros in 2021 he served as a key member of the special team’s unit during his rookie season.
Hamlin found himself starting early on in just his second season due to injury and did a phenomenal job by finishing the season fourth on the team in tackles with 88 and continued to learn from Micah Hyde and constant communication with Jordan Poyer on the back side of the defense. He collected 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble for his 2022 efforts.
On January 2, 2023, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during the Monday Night football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a long road to recovery, the conducting of many test and different opinions from the best cardiologists in the country he was cleared to play before the start of the 2023 season. After he was up and moving and expanded upon the Chasing M’s Foundation to encourage young people to live their dreams, raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and inspire others who face adversity. His perseverance and resiliency through his journey to playing football again was not lost on anyone especially those of his teammates. It was evident following the Monday night game when his first words were “Did we win?” His love and dedication towards his team is one of the many reasons that he was voted for the Ed Block Courage Award.
Damar Hamlin
2023 Ed Block Courage Award Winner
Damar Hamlin attended Pittsburgh’s Central Catholic High School, where he rose to become the top-rated defensive player in Pennsylvania according to Rivals and 247Sports and a top 150 overall recruit nationally for his class and won the Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year before attending the University of Pittsburgh which is only a few blocks from where he went to high school. He became a full-time starter of the Panthers in 2018 where he led Pitt in tackles and interceptions and for his contributions on the field, in the classroom and in the community through by launching Chasing M’s as a way to give back through toy drives, kids camps, back-to-school drives, and more, he was voted as a team captain for his final two years at Pitt leading in multiple categories before declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft.
After leading the Pitt Panthers in pass breakups and tackles and a solid showing at the Senior Bowl, Hamlin was chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. With the Bills secondary being patrolled by all-pros in 2021 he served as a key member of the special team’s unit during his rookie season.
Hamlin found himself starting early on in just his second season due to injury and did a phenomenal job by finishing the season fourth on the team in tackles with 88 and continued to learn from Micah Hyde and constant communication with Jordan Poyer on the back side of the defense. He collected 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble for his 2022 efforts.
On January 2, 2023, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during the Monday Night football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a long road to recovery, the conducting of many test and different opinions from the best cardiologists in the country he was cleared to play before the start of the 2023 season. After he was up and moving and expanded upon the Chasing M’s Foundation to encourage young people to live their dreams, raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and inspire others who face adversity. His perseverance and resiliency through his journey to playing football again was not lost on anyone especially those of his teammates. It was evident following the Monday night game when his first words were “Did we win?” His love and dedication towards his team is one of the many reasons that he was voted for the Ed Block Courage Award.
| Position | S |
|---|---|
| Height | 6-0 |
| Weight | 200 lbs |
| College | Pittsburgh |
| NFL Experience | 3 years |
Past Winners
- 2022 - Tre’Davious White
- 2021 - Harrison Phillips
- 2020 - Jon Feliciano
- 2019 - Kyle Peko
- 2018 - Taiwan Jones
- 2017 - Jordan Poyer
- 2016 - Stephon Gilmore
- 2015 - Cordy Glenn
- 2014 - Arthur Moats
- 2013 - Marcus Easley
- 2012 - Kyle Williams
- 2011 - Andra Davis
- 2010 - Jarius Byrd
- 2009 - James Hardy III
- 2008 - Chris Kelsay
- 2007 - Kevin Everett
- 2006 - Takeo Spikes
- 2005 - Mark Campbell
- 2004 - Travis Henry
- 2003 - Pat Williams
- 2002 - Tony Driver
- 2001 - Jerry Ostroski
- 2000 - Joe Panos
- 1999 - Sean Moran
- 1998 - John Holecek
- 1997 - Henry Jones
- 1996 - Mark Maddox
- 1995 - Jim Kelly
- 1994 - Kent Hull
- 1993 - John Davis
- 1992 - Bruce Smith
- 1991 - Mark Kelso
- 1990 - Darryl Talley
- 1989 - Steve Tasker
- 1988 - Tim Volger
- 1987 - Robb Riddick
- 1986 - Lucius Sanford
- 1985 - Jerry Butler
- 1984 - Steve Freeman
Supporting the National Courage House Network
The Buffalo Bills are proud to support Gateway Longview, a member of the National Courage House Network.
