Buffalo Bills Training Staff Honored with Pat Tillman Award for Service
Los Angeles, CA – In a heartwarming moment at the recently concluded ESPY Awards, the training staff of the Buffalo Bills received the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service. The award is given to individuals or groups who demonstrate exceptional dedication to serving others, both on and off the field.
Damar Hamlin, the man whose life the training staff saved during a harrowing incident earlier this year, introduced the well-deserved honorees. Hamlin narrated a touching video tribute to the staff, which left the audience in awe of their heroic actions. As the trainers stepped onto the stage, they were met with a thunderous standing ovation from the crowd at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Hamlin, deeply grateful to the staff for their life-saving efforts, emotionally embraced each member of the training staff once again. The incredible bond formed between Hamlin and his saviors was palpable as they stood shoulder to shoulder, united in their shared experience.
Bills head athletic trainer Nate Breske then took the stage and delivered a moving speech. Among his words of gratitude, Breske made a special mention to Hamlin: “Thanks for staying alive, brother.” The crowd erupted into applause, acknowledging Hamlin’s resilience in the face of adversity.
It has been just six months since Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Miraculously, Hamlin has made an astonishing recovery and was even able to actively participate in the Bills’ organized team activities (OTAs) last month. His remarkable progress serves as a testament to the exceptional care and expertise provided by the training staff.
The Buffalo Bills training staff’s dedication and commitment to their profession have not gone unnoticed. In addition to receiving the Pat Tillman Award for Service, they have been recognized with numerous other honors. Trainer Denny Kellington, who performed life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Hamlin, received a fifth-place vote for NFL MVP from Suzy Kolber, a respected ESPN analyst at the time. Humble in his response, Kellington stated, “I am not a hero. But I will tell you what I was that day: I was ready.”
Hamlin’s journey since the incident has also taken him to the White House, where he passionately advocated for the placement of defibrillators in schools. This is part of a larger campaign to promote CPR training and ensure preparedness in case a similar situation arises for a younger player.
The Buffalo Bills training staff’s remarkable achievements and their dedication to saving lives have truly made them deserving recipients of the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Their selflessness and heroism serve as an inspiration not only to the football community but to all those whom they have touched.
(Photo credit: AP Photo/Mark Terrill)