Every NFL team’s Damar Hamlin tribute in Week 18 (Updated)

Against the backdrop of an intense playoff chase coming to an end, every team in the NFL paused to pay tribute to Damar Hamlin. Here’s how they did it. 

There’s no way to describe what this past week has been like, as the world helplessly watched and waited for any updates on Damar Hamlin’s health.

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest in the first quarter of Week 17’s Monday Night Football game between the Bills and Bengals after tackling wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin needed to be resuscitated on the field and was rushed to a local hospital where he needed a breathing tube inserted to stay alive. The game was canceled, NFL rules were changed on the fly, and the entire world pleaded that this situation didn’t break the way it looked like it had.

Incredibly, Hamlin woke up just a few days later with full neurological functions intact and seems to be on the road to recovery. What began as a tragedy never before seen in the NFL has become a powerful story of survival, and Hamlin’s effect on the league and its players — especially those closest to him — is being felt all over in Week 18.

How every team paid tribute to Demar Hamlin in Week 18

Note: This post will be updated with the latest Damar Hamlin tributes as teams and players take the field on Sunday. We’ve also included tributes from teams that played on Saturday. 

Kansas City Chiefs 

Patrick Mahomes honored Hamlin before the game by wearing a shirt paying tribute to his fight. Players and coaches also wore shirts with Hamlin’s number and name on the sideline, going so far as to cover up their own team logo to send a message of love and support.

Mahomes also spoke after the game to ESPN about what this week was like for him and his teammates.

Las Vegas Raiders 

Just like the Chiefs, players on the Raiders paid tribute to Hamlin by wearing shirts that read: ‘Love for Damar” with is No. 3 in the center. Maxx Crosby wore the shirt while warming up pregame, while Davante Adams showed love for Hamlin as well.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1611820755494506496

Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans

Before their game on Saturday night — one that couldn’t have had higher emotions or stakes as it was — both the Jaguars and Titans took a moment to huddle at midfield and pay tribute to Hamlin.

Given how intense that night was and how locked in players are before games like that, to see everyone table that energy for even a few moments to focus on Demar Hamlin was a sight to behold.

Titans linebacker Rashad Weaver was Hamlin’s teammate in college and reflected on all that had happened to his friend with an emotional tribute.