Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin launched a scholarship program for young people in Cincinnati in remembrance of the hospital medical staff that assisted him following a cardiac arrest he suffered on the football field ten months prior, on Saturday.
After making a tackle during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January, Hamlin experienced a cardiac arrest. He was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Cincinnati, where he spent a week in the intensive care unit.
“Last night I had dinner with my heroes. 10 of the UC Medical Staff that helped save my life,” Hamlin said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday.
Hamlin said he “surprised them with a scholarship named after each of them that will support youth in Cincy to chase their dreams. Wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them!”
“Hamlin’s Cincinnati Heroes Scholarship” will assist underprivileged high school and college-bound students in attending nearby private high schools, trade schools, or universities, according to a press release.
According to the news release, Hamlin called the medical staff members who treated him on the field after he collapsed “my Cincinnati heroes” and expressed his humility at the chance to do so.
“Because of what happened to me, I’m working to make sure that kids across the country have the same access to life-saving care that I did if they need it,” the football player said on his foundation’s website.
The Chasing M’s Foundation states on its website that additional details, requirements, and information for students interested in applying for the awards will be released in the next few weeks.
According to the news release, the program will give $1,000 scholarships, “one in the name of each of 10 individuals who were involved in Damar’s life-saving care.” It said that the foundation has committed to fund the program with a total of $10,000 annually for a three-year period.
According to the foundation, “while he was still in college, Hamlin launched his popular Chasing M’s clothing brand and created The Chasing M’s Foundation as a way to give back to his community.”
Hamlin was not listed on the Bills’ roster for their game against the Bengals, which took place in Cincinnati.
Run onto the field during warm-ups, Hamlin greeted several Bengals players, including Tee Higgins, the player he was tackling when he got hurt in January.