Damar Hamlin’s first career interception shakes the internet

The Buffalo Bills take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in week three of Monday Night Football in front of a star-studded crowd. With less than a quarter to go, the Bills lead 37-10 as the team looks to move to a 3-0 record on the young season. Superstar quarterback Josh Allen has over 300 total yards and four touchdowns against Jacksonville. However, it’s safety Damar Hamlin who arguably had the play of the game.

With just under 4:30 left in the second quarter and the Bills leading 20-3, Hamlin caught an overthrow from Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and returned the ball nearly 20 yards as the home crowd erupted in a chorus of cheers. It was Hamlin’s first career interception, according to Clutchpoints on X.

Of course, the play was made all the more special by Hamlin’s incredible path to that pickoff. In Week 17 of the 2022 season, the Bills faced the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. Hamlin, then in his second season, tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins before collapsing on the field and going into cardiac arrest.

The young defender received emergency medical attention but remained motionless for almost nine minutes before being placed in an ambulance and taken to hospital.

Hamlin served as the inspiration for his remarkable recovery. He returned to the field the following season, making his first start since his terrifying collapse in week one of the 2024 season. Now, in week three against the Jaguars, Hamlin made his first career interception.

Bills safety Damar Hamlin had his first career interception against the Jaguars on MNF

Hamlin shared the moment with quarterback Josh Allen.

And of course, Buffalo fans let Hamlin hear it as the stadium celebrated the impressive interception.

The Bills are missing several key players on defense, making Hamlin’s contribution all the more important. Buffalo is without linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Taron Johnson. Bernard is nursing a pectoral injury and Johnson was sidelined with a forearm ailment. The team is also missing standout linebacker Matt Milano, who is on the IR with a torn biceps.

Interestingly, Hamlin was involved in the tackle that led to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s most recent concussion when the Bills took on the Dolphins in Miami. Hamlin has a unique understanding of what a player goes through when recovering from a serious injury. He wished the quarterback a speedy recovery, saying, “He’s a fighter. He’ll be back soon, that’s for sure.”