Hamlin revealed that he was disappointed with Joe Flacco winning the award initially but applauded the veteran for his achievements.

(L) Damar Hamlin and (R) Joe Flacco (Image via IMAGO)

Damar Hamlin experienced a life-threatening injury last year in January against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Buffalo Bills safety was unconscious for a few minutes before the paramedics carted him away to the nearest hospital.

It took him several months to finally recover and rejoin the Bills squad at the OTAs. This put the 26-year-old in pole position to bag the Comeback Player Award.

However, Joe Flacco, who was sitting on his couch back home, got a call from the Cleveland Browns. They were in a bind after all three starting quarterbacks, including Deshaun Watson, ended up in hospital beds. Flacco signed a one-year contract with the team and led them to their first playoff game since 2020.

The veteran quarterback was 4-1 in 5 games and threw for more than 1600 yards with a completion rate of 60.3%. He registered 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

At the end of the season, when the league chose Flacco as the Comeback Player of the Year, Damar Hamlin admitted he felt a bit disappointed that it wasn’t him. Even so, he was happy for Joe Flacco and claimed it was all part of God’s plan.

I did at first, [and] I ain't gonna lie, I'm a competitor myself. In any competition you put me in, I would win. But I clapped for Joe [Flacco] as he went on stage, and I clapped for him as he went off. You know, at this point in my life, it's truly God's plan. God had a reason for him getting that trophy; God had a reason for his journey going out.

Damar Hamlin said while speaking to Maggie and Perloff

Damar Hamlin expressed that he wasn’t competing with Joe Flacco

After congratulating Flacco for his victory, Hamlin claimed that his recovery couldn’t be bound by a trophy. It was not short of God’s work at play. He was close to death’s doorstep, and if it weren’t for CPR, he would not be alive today.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (Image via IMAGO)

I truly feel that with my journey, my cup, and my comeback, it wasn't a worldly thing. It wasn't something that a trophy could define. [That's] something that God gave me, his trophy of still waking up every day, still living, breathing, having a healthy life, and family.

Damar Hamlin said

The Buffalo Bills signed Hamlin in the 6th round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Since then, he has played 34 games, completing 95 tackles. 4 pass deflections and 1.5 sacks.