Damar Hamlin has commemorated the first anniversary of his cardiac arrest during an NFL game by getting a heart tattoo.
The incident occurred during a routine tackle against Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Tee Higgins on January 2, 2023, leaving Hamlin collapsing on the field, only to be revived moments later and rushed to the hospital.
Placed on a ventilator, Hamlin defied the odds and made a remarkable recovery, eventually being discharged and even making a surprise appearance at the Super Bowl.
The cause of the cardiac arrest was identified as commotio cordis, a condition where a direct blow at a specific point in the heartbeat triggers cardiac arrest.
In a press conference held in April last year, Hamlin explained: "It's a direct blow at a specific point in your heartbeat that causes cardiac arrest. Five to seven seconds later, you fall out, and that's pretty much what everyone was seeing January 2 of this year."
Hamlin is now on a mission to raise awareness about commotio cordis, stating: "Commotio cordis is the leading cause of death in youth athletes across all sports. So that's something I will personally be taking a step in to make a change," per the Daily Mail.
To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the incident, Hamlin revealed his newest tattoo, a heart-shaped design with an electrocardiogram at its center, positioned on the back of his neck.
Celebrity tattoo artist Alexander Brenes showcased the artwork on his Instagram, captioning it, "1 year later still locked in," with Hamlin responding in the comments with a series of emojis.
Reflecting on this significant milestone, Hamlin also penned a heartfelt message on a GoFundMe page associated with his Chasing M's Foundation, which sponsored a toy drive.
Expressing gratitude to donors, Hamlin acknowledged the incredible journey he and his family have experienced over the past year. He emphasized the growth of his charity, focusing on empowering youth and supporting those facing adversity.
"As a donor to my charity, I didn't want to let the New Year begin without reaching out personally to thank you," he penned. "This past year has been an incredible journey for my family and I, and the growth of my charity — through the generosity of people like you — is a great blessing to me.
"In addition to returning to the NFL this fall, I've spent time creating the mission of my charity, which is focused on empowering youth and lifting up people who face adversity"
Reflecting on his comeback, Hamlin said: "I think it was more so about promising to myself than anything else, just showing myself that I have the courage, I have the strength, that I have the pride, everything, all those words, in me to be able to go through something traumatic and to be able to come back from it. To be able to still do what I love at the highest level in the world is amazing," as reported by the Associated Press.