Watch: Damar Hamlin Returns to Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh native and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin returned to Acrisure Stadium and will play in Pittsburgh for the first time since his traumatic injury in Cincinnati in January. Hamlin took to Twitter to say that he is home while standing near midfield.

Honey I’m Homeeee😘💍💍 pic.twitter.com/9z2EDESHhS

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) August 19, 2023

Damar Hamlin played all of his college football in the stadium while playing for the Pittsburgh Panthers before he went to the NFL with the Bills. He suffered a cardiac emergency, known as commotio cordis, which is a sudden arrhythmic irregularity caused by a blow near the heart. Since then, Hamlin’s recovery has become a national story, and his return to Pittsburgh and efforts in the community since then have been highlighted.

Hamlin played at Pitt from 2016 to 2020, battling injuries early in his career to become an All-ACC safety. He was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and was playing in his 30th career NFL game. Hamlin was a teammate of Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett while at Pitt, and with the proximity of the Panthers and Steelers, got to know many Steelers players during his time there.

All love from @CoachTomlin. 🫶#BUFvsPIT | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/JO46ccvTvA

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 19, 2023

Tonight’s Gameday Cleats for @BuffaloBills Safety @HamlinIsland as he makes his return back to his city!

Customized these “Greetings from Hamlin Island” cleats to look like an island getaway postcard pic.twitter.com/H4lPQF90uC

— Matt Speck (@the_mattspeck24) August 19, 2023

His return to Pittsburgh and football, in general, signals the perseverance and strength that Hamlin carries with him and specifically what inspires so many in the football community following his recovery.