Damar Hamlin is an American football safety who plays for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after a successful college career at the University of Pittsburgh. But how much is Damar Hamlin worth, and how did he overcome a near-death experience on the field? In this blog post, we will explore Damar Hamlin’s net worth, salary, contract, NFL career, and health update.
How Much is Damar Hamlin Worth?
According to various online sources, Damar Hamlin’s net worth as of September 2023 is estimated to be around $3 million. This net worth is mainly derived from his salary and contract with the Buffalo Bills, as well as some endorsement deals. He is one of the lowest-paid players on the Bills roster, as he was a late-round draft pick in 2021.
Damar Hamlin’s Salary and Contract
Damar Hamlin signed a four-year contract with the Buffalo Bills worth $3,640,476 in 2021. His contract included a $160,476 signing bonus and the same amount of guaranteed money. His average annual salary is $910,119, which ranks 97th among all safeties in the NFL.
Here is a breakdown of Damar Hamlin’s salary and contract by year:
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $660,000 | $40,119 | $700,119 | $160,476 |
| 2022 | $825,000 | $40,119 | $865,119 | $120,357 |
| 2023 | $940,000 | $40,119 | $980,119 | $80,238 |
| 2024 | $1,055,000 | $40,119 | $1,095,119 | $40,119 |
Damar Hamlin will become an unrestricted free agent in 2025 if he does not sign an extension with the Bills or another team.
Damar Hamlin’s NFL Career
Damar Hamlin started playing football at an early age and attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a four-star recruit and ranked as the third-best safety in the nation by Rivals.com. He received offers from several colleges but chose to stay in his hometown and play for the University of Pittsburgh.
At Pitt, Hamlin played for four seasons from 2016 to 2020. He appeared in 46 games and recorded 275 tackles, six interceptions, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was named to the All-ACC Second Team in 2019 and 2020 and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl in 2021.
Damar Hamlin was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 212th overall pick. He was the ninth safety taken in the draft and the third player from Pitt. He made his NFL debut on September 12, 2021 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and recorded one tackle. He played mostly on special teams in his rookie season and appeared in 15 games with no starts.
In his second season, Hamlin became a regular starter for the Bills after an injury to Jordan Poyer. He played in all 16 games and started in 14 of them. He had a breakout season and finished with 93 tackles (65 solo), 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and four passes defended. He helped the Bills win their second consecutive AFC East title and reach the AFC Championship Game.
What is Damar Hamlin’s Health Update?
On January 2, 2023, Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He collapsed on the field after making a tackle on Tee Higgins in the first quarter. He was unconscious and unresponsive for several minutes and received CPR from the medical staff. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
The incident shocked and saddened the NFL community and fans around the world. Many players, coaches, celebrities, and fans sent their prayers and support to Hamlin and his family on social media. The Bills released a statement saying that Hamlin was “in good spirits” and “neurologically intact” but still “critically ill”.
After spending more than nine days in the hospital, Hamlin was finally discharged and returned to his home in Buffalo on January 11, 2023. He thanked everyone for their love and prayers and said that he was “blessed to be alive”. He also said that he was eager to return to the field and play football again.
On April 18, 2023, the Bills announced that Hamlin had been cleared to resume football activities and would participate in the team’s offseason program. Hamlin said that he was “feeling great” and “ready to go”. He also said that he had no lasting effects from his cardiac arrest and that he had a defibrillator implanted in his chest to prevent future episodes.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Damar Hamlin’s net worth and health:
How did Damar Hamlin survive his cardiac arrest?
Damar Hamlin survived his cardiac arrest thanks to the quick and professional actions of the medical staff on the field and at the hospital. He received CPR, defibrillation, and advanced life support within minutes of his collapse. He also received a therapeutic hypothermia treatment, which lowers the body temperature to reduce brain damage. He was put in a medically induced coma for several days to allow his brain and heart to heal.
What caused Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest?
The exact cause of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest is still unknown. However, some possible factors that could have contributed to it are:
- A congenital heart defect or an undiagnosed heart condition that could have triggered an abnormal heart rhythm or a cardiac arrhythmia.
- A blunt force trauma or a head injury that could have affected the blood flow or the oxygen supply to the brain or the heart.
- A dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance that could have altered the electrical activity of the heart cells.
- A drug interaction or an overdose that could have interfered with the heart function or the nervous system.
How common is cardiac arrest in NFL players?
Cardiac arrest is a rare but serious medical emergency that can affect anyone at any age and any time. However, it is more common among athletes, especially those who play high-intensity sports like football. According to a study by the American Heart Association, there were 517 cases of sudden cardiac death among NCAA athletes from 1980 to 2011, with football accounting for 29% of them. Another study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that there were 23 cases of sudden cardiac death among NFL players from 1986 to 2016, with an incidence rate of 1.2 per 100,000 person-years.
Some of the most notable cases of cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death among NFL players are:
- Korey Stringer, a Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman who died of heat stroke-induced cardiac arrest during a training camp in 2001.
- Thomas Herrion, a San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman who died of ischemic heart disease-induced cardiac arrest after a preseason game in 2005.
- Ryan Shazier, a Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker who suffered a spinal cord injury-induced cardiac arrest after a tackle in 2017. He survived but was paralyzed from the waist down.
- Chuck Hughes, a Detroit Lions wide receiver who died of coronary artery disease-induced cardiac arrest during a regular-season game in 1971. He is the only NFL player to die on the field during a game.
How will Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest affect his NFL career?
Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest will not affect his NFL career as long as he follows his doctor’s advice and takes care of his health. He has been cleared to play football again and has no physical or mental limitations. He will have to wear a defibrillator device under his jersey, which will monitor his heart rate and deliver an electric shock if needed. He will also have to undergo regular check-ups and tests to ensure his heart function and condition.
Damar Hamlin has shown remarkable resilience and determination to overcome his near-death experience and return to the field. He has also received tremendous support and encouragement from his teammates, coaches, fans, and family. He has expressed his gratitude and appreciation for everyone who helped him through his ordeal. He has also said that he wants to use his platform and story to inspire others who are facing challenges in life.
I hope this blog post has helped you learn more about Damar Hamlin’s net worth and how he survived his cardiac arrest. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading!