Behind every tattoo is a story – and Damar Hamlin’s is a doozy.
The Buffalo Bills safety is showing off some new ink ahead of the 2025 NFL season, which will be his second since suffering cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati.
His new art, created by famed tattoo artist Ganga, which covers Hamlin’s entire back, works to convey everything about the happenings on the field from that January day.
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When Hamlin woke up following the near-fatal incident, he famously asked, “Did we win?”
Those words are featured prominently on Hamlin’s back, surrounded by a “Monday Night Football” logo along with words of encouragement and a “Pray for Damar” flag. Ganga also added a Paycor Stadium element to the entire display, which was famously the site of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest.
Coupled with plenty of No. 3’s, the tattoo managed to accomplish just about every element of the incident.
Hamlin’s heart stopped after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on “Monday Night Football” on Jan. 2, 2023. He briefly got up and then fell to the ground, prompting a rush of medical personnel onto the field. After providing CPR, Hamlin was loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance.
The game was suspended and postponed.
In the meantime, Hamlin spent time on a ventilator before being able to talk to his family and breathe on his own on Jan. 6.
It was an unforgettable moment in NFL history, one that Hamlin would never forget, especially. Now he has the entire story on his back.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bills’ Damar Hamlin unveils cardiac arrest-inspired tattoo
