In his first Monday night start since suffering cardiac arrest on national television, Damar Hamlin made the most of his return to prime time.
The fourth-year Bills safety recorded his first career interception on Monday evening, snagging a Trevor Lawrence overthrow in the second quarter of the Bills' 47-10 win over the Jaguars to set up a fourth consecutive Buffalo touchdown drive.
"That was awesome. We needed it," quarterback Josh Allen told ESPN after the game. "Big-time moment for him, big-time moment for our team there."
The Bills safety, making his third straight start of the season, was in the right place at the right time when Lawrence badly missed Brian Thomas Jr. on a first-and-10 crossing route. Hamlin ran the ball back 19 yards to the Jacksonville 41-yard line, and then ran toward the jubilant crowd with his teammates in tow.
"It's special, man," Hamlin told ESPN of his teammates' reaction. "They were a big part of me being able to make this type of comeback. They pushed me. They gave me love, they gave me grace, they gave me everything I needed on the journey, and they was even happier than I was to get my first interception. That just shows the community and the bond that we have here in Buffalo. It's truly a special place, and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Hamlin's pick was directly followed by a five-play, 41-yard drive that resulted in a Khalil Shakir receiving TD and a 27-3 Bills lead. Buffalo entered halftime leading Jacksonville, 34-3.
It was a moment of great celebration for Hamlin and Bills Mafia. Six-hundred-and-thirty days ago, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a Week 17 Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati and had to be revived on the field before being transported to a local hospital. The safety's return to football was no sure thing, but little by little, Hamlin overcame obstacles to make it back to the Bills' roster. This summer, the safety took another step, securing his place in the starting lineup to replace the departed Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.
On Monday night, he made his impact felt in a big way during a big win.
