NFL Honors Damar Hamlin With Community Award After Holiday Toy Drive

The NFL is shining a lightweight on Damar Hamlin‘s current charitable efforts — the Buffalo Payments security was simply chosen because the Community MVP for Week 18 after giving again to his hometown in the course of the holidays.

Hamlin acquired the dignity for his 4th annual toy drive that went down final month … the place he distributed greater than 2,000 toys, a whole bunch of books, and 50 bikes to a whole bunch of youngsters in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.

Hamlin has been serving to out these in his space since earlier than his NFL days, however this one was further particular — it was the primary toy drive since he suffered cardiac arrest towards the Bengals on Jan. 2, 2023.

Hamlin stated one in all his first recollections waking up after the incident was seeing the $9 million raised for his fundraiser. With the exceeded quantity, Hamlin did his personal private Santa Claus impression, donning the large man’s traditional pink swimsuit and spreading some vacation cheer.

In a 12 months that started with turbulence, this was one of many brightest moments for Damar … which he defined when talking in regards to the drive.

“I just couldn’t wait for this,” Hamlin stated. “I’ve received so much love, so many blessings. I just couldn’t wait to pay them all forward.”

The complete $9 million raised after Hamlin’s medical emergency will not simply assist his toy drive — he stated it is going to additionally go towards enhancing his group by CPR schooling, sporting occasions in the summertime, and turkey drives.