Medical Staff Clears Damar Hamlin for Next Season with Bills

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been cleared to play football again, three months after suffering an on-field cardiac arrest. Hamlin's return was announced by the team's general manager, Brandon Beane, who said the player had been cleared to play without fear of medical complications after meeting with three separate medical specialists. Hamlin will participate in the team's voluntary workout program ahead of the upcoming season. Hamlin's collapse occurred on January 2 after tackling Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Bills medical staff performed CPR and used a defibrillator on the field to resuscitate Hamlin before he was taken off the field in an ambulance. The game was delayed and subsequently canceled. Hamlin was admitted to a Cincinnati hospital before being discharged and transferred to Buffalo General Medical Center, where he spent a week recovering. Doctors expressed confidence in his recovery after he began to regain movement in his hands and feet. Hamlin drew widespread support during his recovery, including a message of support from President Joe Biden. The injury brought new attention to player safety, and the NFL faced some criticism for its handling of the incident, with some fans and former players arguing the league should have immediately canceled the game. Several medical professionals speculated that Hamlin's cardiac arrest was likely caused by commotio cordis, a condition caused by a sudden low to mild impact to the chest that can induce sudden life-threatening heart arrhythmia. The condition is mostly seen in male athletes who participate in contact sports between the ages of eight and 18.