After enduring months of conspiracy theories and unfounded claims, Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills, made his return to the football field during the team's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on August 12. Hamlin's performance in the game included three solo tackles, contributing to the Bills' 23-19 victory. While preseason game scores are generally considered inconsequential, Hamlin's successful return was undoubtedly the highlight of the game.
Hamlin's journey back to playing football began over eight months ago when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Many cardiologists suspected that Hamlin had experienced commotio cordis, a rare condition where trauma to the chest disrupts the heart's electrical signals. However, some have attempted to blame the Covid-19 vaccine for Hamlin's cardiac arrest, despite the lack of concrete evidence supporting such claims.
Even after Hamlin was discharged from the hospital on January 11 and began making public appearances, conspiracy theorists persisted in pushing false narratives. One such theory involved the existence of a body double, supposedly hiding Hamlin's alleged "vaccine injury." However, these theories lacked substantial evidence.
Ahead of the game, the Bills shared photos of Hamlin during warm-ups on Twitter, which received mostly positive and encouraging responses. However, some individuals continued to perpetuate the vaccine injury and body double narratives. These responses, although in the minority, highlight the persistence of misinformation despite Hamlin's successful return to the field.
Despite the unfounded conspiracy theories, Hamlin's return is a testament to his hard work and the effectiveness of modern medicine. Following his cardiac arrest, Hamlin received prompt care and CPR on the field before being transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He was later transferred to Buffalo General Hospital, where he was discharged after nine days. Three months after collapsing on the field, Hamlin resumed training with the Bills and is now officially back as an NFL player.