Who is Denny Kellington? Damar Hamlin says he 'literally owes his life' to Buffalo Bills trainer
CINCINNATI, OHIO: NFL player Damar Hamlin recently appeared in an interview where he said that he owes his life to his "savior" Buffalo Bills trainer Denny Kellington after he was resuscitated following his on-field cardiac arrest in Cincinnati on Monday, January 2.
The Bills safety detailed his near-death experience in the interview that will air Monday morning, February 13, on ABC. Besides, Hamlin also said that he is grateful that Kellington sprang into action after his collapse during a Monday Night Football matchup with the Bengals.
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What did Damar Hamlin say?
"I owe Denny my life, literally," Hamlin told Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan. "He loves to say he was just doing his job, which is true. That night he was literally the savior of my life, administrating CPR on me. If it wasn't for someone showing up that day with a clear mind and whatever's going on in their personal life, just to put it aside, and be present at the moment to actually be able to do their job correctly, that's something I'm truly thankful for and don't take for granted."
MONDAY ON @GMA: "He was literally the savior of my life."@michaelstrahan sits down with @HamlinIsland to reflect on what happened on the football field and his remarkable road to recovery. https://t.co/EzJjRf96zj pic.twitter.com/9P4mXQScmp
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 10, 2023
Hamlin, 24, is currently recovering from his cardiac arrest following his Wednesday, January 11, discharge from a Buffalo-area hospital. The first responders who rushed to Hamlin's aid were recognized with a tribute video at 'NFL Honors' prior to getting invited on stage and he was right behind them.
He made his second appearance during Super Bowl week Thursday night in Phoenix, paying respect to those who helped him to give a second chance at life. "My entire life, I felt like God was using me to give others hope and now with a new set of circumstances, I can say he's doing what he's always done," Hamlin said from the stage at Phoenix Convention Center. "I have a long journey ahead, a journey full of unknowns and a journey full of milestones, but it's a lot easier to face your fears when you know your purpose."
The Bills safety received the NFLPA's Alan Page Community Award on Wednesday, February 8. He also appeared again at 'NFL Honors' after the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals training and medical staffs, along with the staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, collectively known as "Team Damar" were recognized.
Denny Kellington, who performed CPR on Hamlin on the field, earned a bit of appreciation during "NFL Honors", receiving a fifth-place vote for the NFL's MVP award. Hamlin personally thanked an ICU doctor named Yusef when he was on stage. The doctor told the NFL player that he had been through something similar like him. "He showed me he was OK and that meant so much to me," said Hamlin, who also thanked everyone on stage. "There was so much uncertainty at the time and just him coming to me, showing I could live a normal life again, it meant so much to me and my mom. I want to give a big thank you to him."
Hamlin received the Alan Page Award on Wednesday and a standing ovation from his peers at "NFL Honors." "Every day I'm amazed that my experiences could encourage so many others across the country and even across the world — encourage to pray, encourage to spread love and encourage to keep fighting no matter the circumstances," Hamlin said.
Who is Damar Hamlin ?
Damar Hamlin is an American football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh and was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Before becoming a starter in 2022 following a season-ending injury to Micah Hyde, Hamlin spent most of his rookie season as a backup.
The 24-year-old was raised in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He was named first-team All-State and the Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year.
