An emotional Damar Hamlin presents ESPY award to Bills training staff that saved his life

WASHINGTON (TND) — Just a little over six months after collapsing on the field during an NFL game, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin presented the training staff that saved his life with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2023 ESPY Awards Wednesday night.

Hamlin was wiping away tears as he made his way out to the microphone, where he stood for nearly 40 seconds of applause before he announced the award.

"Please welcome this year's recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the training staff of the Buffalo Bills," Hamlin said.

The training staff then made their way out to the podium where Hamlin greeted them with hugs.

During a Jan. 2 regular season game with the Cincinnati Bengals, the 25-year-old star safety went into cardiac arrest shortly after making a tackle.

A hush fell over the Cincinnati crowd as the training staff attended to Hamlin. That quick response is credited with helping Hamlin make a full recovery. Hamlin was cleared to resume football activities in April.

It was the "best outcome we could've prayed for or imagined," Bills head athletic trainer said.

“We are not used to having the spotlight on us,” Breske said. “We were just doing our job but the idea of service is definitely something that is ingrained in our profession and that we take great pride in.”