NFL, Players To Show Leaguewide Support For Damar Hamlin In Final Weekend
Friday, January 6, 2023 at 07:40PM By Barry Janoff
January 6, 2023: The NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Assn. plan to show their support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a league-wide activation the final weekend of the regular season (Jan. 7-8).
Plans include a in-stadium pre-game announcement supporting Hamlin and the first responders and medical teams who attended to him on the field in Cincinnati when he went into cardiac arrest during the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game Jan. 2 and the at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, T-shirts for players to wear during pre-game warm-ups that read “Love for Damar”, painting Hamlin’s No. 3 on the field and No. 3 patches for Bills players.
The activation comes as Hamlin is recovering from the medical incident, with doctors today saying they removed the breathing tube from his throat, enabling him to speak to family, medical staff and teammates (via FaceTime).
The NFL said all 32 clubs have the option to utilize any or all of the activation plans, also saying there will be elements unique to the Bills, which host the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 8 (CBS).
There will be two games on Saturday, Jan. 7, and 14 games on Sunday, Jan. 8. Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football have concluded their schedule for the regular season.
The NFL distributed a public address announcement that clubs are “encouraged to read prior to the national anthem as a unified show of support for Damar, the first responders and medical caregivers,” including the staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where Hamlin has been since Monday.
The announcement will be accompanied by a scoreboard graphic of Hamlin.
"Throughout this week, the entire NFL family has been praying for Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills as he continues his recovery, and we thank the first responders and medical professionals involved in his care.
“The (name of home team) ask you to join us in a moment of support and love for Damar, and cheer for him and his family as they continue their fight."
The NFL and NFL
PA had league apparel partner Fanatics produce black Nike T-shirts displaying "Love for Damar 3” for players to wear during pre-game warm-ups.
Bills players will wear a similar Nike shirt but in the team's royal blue color.
Michael Rubin, Fanatics CEO of Fanatics, said Hamlin's jersey is the No. 1-selling jersey on its site.
Rubin told ESPN that Fanatics would support Hamlin through its sales of the jersey, “which as of Friday morning was more than $400,000.”
Also during warm-ups in Buffalo, Bills players will get New Era hats embroidered with Hamlin’s "3" on them.
No. 3 jersey patches will be worn by the Bills players during their game.
In addition, the NFL said all clubs may outline the "3" in each 30-yard line number on the field in either Buffalo Bills Red or Buffalo Bills Blue.
The league and NFLPA are also encouraging teams to share the link to Hamlin’s GoFundMe fundraiser, established by his family at The Giving Back Fund.
Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive has raised more than $8 million and counting.
In a letter posted to the NFL's Web site and social media platforms, Goodell wrote:
"To Our Fans:
"Damar Hamlin's inspiring progress over the past few days has lifted the spirits of the entire NFL and football fans across the country.
"While his recovery is just beginning, we thank the NFL medical personnel and the medical staffs from both teams whose emergency action quite likely saved his life. We are also grateful to the professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who tended to Damar and continue to oversee his care.
"Seeing the entire NFL family — teams, players, coaches, and fans like you — band together was yet another reminder that football is family: human, loving and resilient.
"This weekend, players and coaches from all 32 teams will wear 'Love for Damar 3' T-shirts during pregame warmups in a league-wide show of support for Damar.
"I'm deeply hopeful that with his continued progress, there is a good chance Damar himself will be watching his teammates. We are grateful for and humbled by all who played a role as he continues on his road to recovery.
"On behalf of the entire NFL, thank you."
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