Damar Hamlin gives hopeful update on future in the NFL

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin expressed his belief that he will be able to play again during a conversation with President Joe Biden.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a trip to Washington D.C. this week to advocate for the Access to AED’s Act, which would increase the access to defibrillators in public schools.

During this trip, Hamlin made a stop at the White House with his family to meet with President Joe Biden. The two met in the Oval Office and had a discussion, as captured with a photo that the President’s official Twitter account sent out on Thursday.

On Friday, the account tweeted out a video of Hamlin’s visit with Biden. During the video, Biden asked Hamlin if he thinks he will play again, to which he replied, “yeah I hope so.”

Damar Hamlin tells President Joe Biden he hopes to be able to play again

Hamlin’s marketing agent, Jordon Rooney, sent out a tweet clarifying that the defensive back is “still going through testing and there hasn’t been a decision yet on if he will play.”

Back in Week 17, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during Buffalo’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin received CPR on the field for nearly 10 minutes before he was transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition.

After needing a tube to help with his breathing, his condition improved in the following days. He was able to move his extremities and breath on his own, and eventually was discharged. After undergoing testing at Buffalo General Medical Center, Hamlin was cleared to return home.

Hamlin began a partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA) with “Damar Hamlin’s Three For Heart CPR challenge.” As part of the challenge, an individual watches a video on heart.org/3 to learn hands only CPR, makes a donation to the AHA, and challenge three friends to do the same. The goal of this is to raise awareness for CPR.

While Hamlin expressed his desire to play football again, he still has to undergo testing, and the decision will come from doctors.