BUFFALO, NY — Bills defense Tamar Hamlin He shared his first public comments since the heart attack on January 2 Almost six minutes of video Taking to her Instagram account on Saturday night, she thanked everyone for their continued support and well wishes over the past month.
Hamlin, 24, captioned the video “From the Heart” and said it’s important to wait for the “right time” to speak publicly because it’s “my self — mentally, physically, and even spiritually.” The video was shot at the team’s facility in Orchard Park, New York. He posted in the video that he continues to recover.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the love, all the support and everything that’s coming my way right now,” Hamlin said. “I feel that what happened to me on Monday Night Football is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my feelings and my love directly from my heart to the whole world. And communities around the world need it so much, that’s always been my dream. That’s what I stood for and what I will continue to stand for. I will stand.”
The video comes nearly a week after Hamlin made his first public appearance during the Bills’ playoff loss to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. On the video board he raised his hands in the shape of a heart, his signature gesture, while rousing the crowd.
As Hamlin continues to recover, he has been posting messages and photos on social media with thanks for updates and well-wishes.
Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation raised more than $9 million in the days after he was hospitalized, with money going toward the toy drive’s initial goal of $2,500 through GoFundMe. He said he was overwhelmed by all the support.
“It’s something that started before I got to the NFL, started small to impact my little community at home, McKees Rocks. [Pennsylvania],” Hamlin said. “I wanted to do my part, do my part in my community, chase my dreams of making the NFL, and you took that and blew it, and now I’m very excited for the things I have planned in the future for these kids across the country.”
Hamlin thanked the Bills’ training, athletic and medical staff, first responders and medical personnel and health care providers at hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo, naming many who contributed to saving his life.
Hamlin spent nearly a week at Cincinnati Medical Center after suffering a heart attack during the first quarter of the Bills’ Week 17 regular-season game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. He then flew to New York and spent about two days at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute before being discharged on January 11.
He thanked his parents Mario and Nina, “my anchors and my everything who never left me the whole time” and his 7-year-old brother Tamir, “Why me, who is my reason? Why I try to be my best self every day.”
In the video, Hamlin thanked family, friends, teammates and the entire Bills organization for their continued support and checking in on him. He acknowledged the Bengals and the entire NFL for “putting team loyalty aside for a child’s life,” with teams and the league showing their support for Hamlin in a variety of ways, from donations to prayers to T-shirts. Week 18 games.
“I’m not surprised by that, but I’m very grateful and I’ll be forever grateful and indebted to that,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin thanked the fans, especially the Bills Mafia, for their love and support, and noted that he was inspired by all the kids who sent him letters and gifts.
“It’s always important to me to be a role model, but seeing the love and support of young people,” Hamlin said, “makes me want to give back and go out into communities and touch kids. They can see, touch, feel, talk, whatever they dream about, it’s a reality.” Be a role model to know. If you’re focused, committed, committed to whatever you do, it’s going to happen. That’s what got me here.”
Hamlin ended the video making a heart with his hands.
“I will continue to do amazing and great things,” Hamlin said. “I couldn’t do this without all the support and love, and I can’t wait to take everyone on this journey with me.”
