Damar Hamlin’s return to Monday Night Football is nothing short of a Hollywood movie where the protagonist saves the day defying all expectations. Playing his first game back against the Jaguars since that horror moment in January 2023. Hamlin started his new chapter in the best way possible after recording his first career interception to help the Bills score a commanding 47-10 victory over the Jaguars.

As the Highmark Stadium jumped in jubilation, seeing Hamlin get his first interception, he shared one regret while appearing on the Pat McAfee show. “I was just happy to get my first one, and I meant to take the b— to my mom. I told my mom before the game that if I got a pick, I am going to take the b— to her, “ Hamlin expressed.

But amid the excitement of scoring his first career interception, the Bills safety forgot to take the football to his mother. Although he didn’t keep his promise, Damlin got his flowers from pass rusher Von Miller, “Damar, with his first interception, the crowd went crazy, everybody ran out on the field, man, it was inspiring.”

Even his coach, Sean McDermott, jumped on the wagon, sharing his thoughts about the emotional moment, “Damar, what a night for Damar, right? At home on Monday Night Football, getting his first interception, I believe, of his NFL career. The journey that he’s been on and how he’s persevered.” After the third week of NFL action, Damlin has recorded 19 tackles while being paired with Taylor Rapp on the defensive line.

Amid the high praises, the 26-year-old highlighted the importance of his teammates that led to this moment, “It makes all of the emotions way easier when you just go out there and you think about. I just want to make plays for my teammates. It makes it all simple again.” But what was the journey that eventually helped the Bills’ safety come back and start the next chapter of his life?

Damar Hamlin’s comeback from the jaws of death

It was January 23rd when Hamlin met with a life-threatening situation that many questioned whether he would even survive. After going through a cardiac arrest, Hamlin spent 10 days in the hospital being closely monitored. Not before he was resuscitated on the field by his fellow teammates and members of the medical staff. Those scenes were worrying as the Bills safety showed little movement in that moment.

But 630 days later and countless prayers from that cardiac arrest on the field vs the Bengals to record his first career interception. It’s nothing sort of magical what Hamlin has pulled off in this clash against the Jaguars. Going back to his interception, the Bills safety grabbed a textbook interception from QB Trevor Lawrence while returning it for 19 yards. This helped the Bills set up a crucial TD that helped them race into a 17-point lead in the second quarter.

However, this clash wasn’t the first one Hamlin has played since that prime-time clash on Monday Night Football. He made his awaited return in June 2023 by taking part in team drills before last season. But opening this season against the Cardinals, it was the Bills safety’s first start in Buffalo colors.

Going through such a roller coaster of emotions in the third week of NFL action. Will Hamlin be able to continue on the positives that helped the Bills win their third straight game this year? Only time will tell, as we hope the Bills’ safety doesn’t forget the promises made to his mother next time.