NFL world reacts to Damar Hamlin announcement

[{"selector":"#anim-fa3c6edc-857f-41fd-b6b5-e23521442afe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Last season, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin returned to the NFL following a horrifying 2022 incident that required life-saving CPR on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals.

[{"selector":"#anim-fd7e4fdd-143f-476a-8df5-713118cc4543 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.2656509714626%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] This season, he may play a significant part for the team.

[{"selector":"#anim-f947e046-2104-437d-aafb-cef5fa664896 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] After returning to football, Damar Hamlin appeared in five games with the Buffalo Bills, largely on special teams, without starting.

[{"selector":"#anim-6c1941fc-d882-4580-b203-e79068f80e16 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.64843728934056%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] This weekend's season-opening game against the Arizona Cardinals will feature Hamlin as a starting safety, the team confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.

[{"selector":"#anim-35e0f9b8-1c8b-415d-b3f1-0f21834766f4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] “Damar Hamlin will start,” Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott told Pro Football Talk in a press conference.

[{"selector":"#anim-905fdd30-294c-43bd-b6b9-0c352e4ba6dc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] “What can't this young man do? As you know, you've written about his on-field struggles, and it's one thing to recover from an ACL or a broken bone.

[{"selector":"#anim-f33d970b-48d0-48d0-bde9-f9c7cd06b97f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.2656509714626%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Coming back from what he did is different. I don't need to say more about choosing to play NFL contact football in full pads. This is incredible.”

[{"selector":"#anim-eff239df-b27e-4ed4-bc6f-72ab66dda378 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] This major announcement sparked social media comments.