During his senior year at Pittsburgh's Central Catholic, Hamlin had every football program in the country recruiting him, his talent and upside making him an undisputed four-star prospect and the second defensive player in Pennsylvania.
Hamlin took a hit to the side of his knee against Penn-Trafford in the WPIAL Class 4A district championship, and the coaches decided to hold him out of the State College game as a precautionary measure. He wasn't going to be off the field.
Hamlin wanted to help. Dave Fleming said it was more bluntly.
Fleming said that after being a pain in the butt, they allowed him to carry the water bottles.
Hamlin, the captain of the football team, is an elite prospect with offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh and many more. He had to be present for them. There was nothing else to do.
Fleming said it was unbelievable. Most kids in high school don't want to see their friends get hurt, but Damar wouldn't let it go. He would like to be involved. He wanted to be a part of it.
This is one of the many stories Hamlin's friends, teammates and coaches shared this week, in the hours and days since the Buffalo Bills second-year safety suffered cardiac arrest after making a tackle in the first quarter of a game. Hamlin's selflessness, his humility, his desire to help others, his love for his teammates and community, his genuine ability to lead without having to say one word, are just some of the things that make Hamlin so special.
He carried water bottles.
Terry Totten is Hamlin's high school coach. He is the pride of the area. He is the pride of Central Catholic and the University of Pittsburgh because of his humility.
Hamlin was determined to not only be the hardest worker on the team, but a role model for his younger brother, Damir, and so many others in his neighborhood in the town of McKees Rocks, when he was a student at Central Catholic.
The small community of McKees Rocks has one of the highest crime rates in the state. Hamlin's conviction to give back and represent his hometown in a positive way was strengthened by the loss of many childhood friends to gun violence.
Hamlin said that many of his friends didn't make it to 21. It's insane.
Hamlin has a tattoo on his right bicep that says Gray Street, his hometown.
One of Hamlin's biggest goals was to give back to his community, according to John, who played with Hamlin at Central Catholic, Pitt and the Bills.
He is viewed as a hero by the people in the area. He is a great role model for the kids of that community to look up to. He has fulfilled his promise, which is more important than what he does on the field.
Following the injury of Damar Hamlin, Zac Taylor talked to Sean McDermott.
Hamlin organized a toy drive that raised over $7 million, but there are other ways he has helped others.
Central Catholic lost a game to North Allegheny. The team gathered on the field after Fleming pulled into the parking lot. He thought he was late for the practice.
The man looked at his watch. The sun was setting. The entire team had to show up early. Central Catholic finished with a 15-1 record.
There was something to be said about his leadership and desire.
Hamlin fulfilled a promise after Central Catholic won the football title. Hamlin wanted to play basketball his junior and senior years because he loved the sport and wanted to help his school win.
A lot of kids don't want to get hurt, so it speaks volumes for him. Hamlin's basketball coach and athletic director at Central Catholic said that he did not want to do it. He just felt that he could help and that's what he was supposed to do.
Hamlin narrowed his list to a few schools because he wanted his family to be able to attend all of the games. He narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Penn State and Pitt.
Hamlin decided to go to Pitt because he felt a connection with the coach. Hamlin was the highest ranked player in Pitt's 2016 class. Hamlin made an impression on those who did not win his commitment.
"He's a great kid with a great family and he was recruited by me when I was at Ohio State," said Fickell. He wanted to stay at his house and take care of his city. He was a tough-ass fighter and I wanted him bad.
Terry Smith, who grew up in Aliquippa, grew up with the Pittsburgh guys. But Damar isn't the same as the others. He has a warm spirit and a genuine light. I don't know anyone who wished bad things about Damar. He's easy to root for and cheer for. Penn State is praying for him.
Hamlin arrived at Pitt. He was slowed by injuries his first few seasons and had to learn and accept the increased expectations he had for himself. Hamlin had conversations with a senior when he was a freshman about how to deal with ups and downs.
Bradley said that it was a testament to how humble he was that he was so receptive to it. I have not talked to him about how those conversations affected him. I hope they helped him deal with what he was going through.
Hamlin would become one of the team's unquestioned leaders, a team captain who would also develop into an All-ACC pick, as a senior. Hamlin may have learned more about what it meant to be there for his teammates. Brandon Hill credits him with helping develop him into the player he is now.
Hamlin would drive to the freshman dorms every night to make sure Hill had all the plays right when he started against Florida State in 2020. Hamlin taught him how to watch film correctly.
He says he felt a sense of calm next to Hamlin, despite starting opposite him.
Hill said that he had a good feeling that everything was going to be okay.
Hamlin and Hill both made plays.
Hamlin's family and his younger brother are important parts of his life. Damir Hamlin has been a fixture in the locker room and practices for as long as he can remember.
Hamlin often sits him in his lap during interviews and makes sure he is included in everything he does.
Damir was a brother to everyone. He looks up to Damar because he is older. He was a big brother to Damar. He was a kind of father figure. He believes in the world of Damar.
Before name, image and likeness provisions made it easier for college athletes to earn and raise money, there was a day care run by their mom.
Bradley said that this was just him making a decision. "It's clear to see the kind of man that he is if you pay attention, but it's just things like that that show this is who he is."
Nature goes beyond toys. Hamlin holds football camps in Pittsburgh on a regular basis. Hamlin and other football players from Pittsburgh ran a camp called "PGH to the Pros." According to Kenny Robinson Jr., the camp had 250 campers last year.
Robinson said it sent a powerful message to the kids that they can do whatever they want. All of us had the same dreams. We could make a bigger event and better camp for the kids if we came together.
Hamlin's rise from a sixth-round pick to a starter in Buffalo has not surprised those who know him well.
Hamlin was a pro before he was a pro athlete, according to Cal Adomitis, who played with Hamlin at Central Catholic and Pitt. If he got the chance, he was going to make the most of it, because of the way he handled the weight room, film study, and all the smaller things.
Everyone in the country has been affected by what happened on Monday night. When the Bills came onto the field, Adomitis said they were able to give each other a hug.
Adomitis didn't know who was hurt when Hamlin went down. Adomitis was in a state of shock when Tyler Boyd came over to tell him what had happened.
Adomitis said in a phone interview that he couldn't believe it. I began to pray for him. It was the worst feeling to not know what to do.
The prayers have not stopped since Hamlin collapsed on the field Monday night, and will continue in the hopes that Hamlin will not only be able to lead a normal life again, but one that could potentially lead him back to football.
Even if he never plays another down, he still means a lot to the people of Pittsburgh and Buffalo.
Fleming believes that the world is a better place with Hamlin in it.
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