Buffalo Bills

Damar Hamlin's trip to the nation's capital resulted in some one-on-one time with the biggest VIP in the city -- President Joe Biden, who welcomed the Buffalo Bills safety for a sit-down chat at the White House!!

Hamlin was in D.C. to support the Access to AEDs Act this week ... and after meeting with politicians at Capitol Hill on Wednesday, he got a few minutes to hang with POTUS on Thursday!!

"Damar Hamlin’s courage, resilience, and spirit inspired the American people," #46 said on Twitter.

"And what's more: he turned recovery into action – and our country is better for it. It was my honor to have him and his family here today."

And, just like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, it looks like Hamlin brought a gift for Biden ... as he's seen holding a Bills jersey in his lap during the meeting.

Remember, Biden called Damar's family shortly after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during Monday Night Football in January ... sending his well wishes to the Hamlins as he faced a long road to recovery.

Damar Hamlin visited Capitol Hill to promote an important cause on Wednesday ... urging lawmakers to feature more AEDs in schools throughout the country -- less than three months after he suffered cardiac arrest and nearly died during a Monday Night Football game.

The Buffalo Bills safety encouraged politicians to support The Access to AEDs Act, a bill that promotes student access to defibrillation in elementary and secondary schools ... which has become a focus for Hamlin after he collapsed on the field in January.

"Sudden cardiac arrest happens to more than 7,000 kids under the age of 18 every year in our country," Hamlin said. "The majority of the kids impacted are student athletes. Research shows that 1 in every 300 youth has an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk."

"For schools that have AEDs, the survival rate for the children from sudden cardiac arrest is seven times higher. The Access to AEDs Act will help ensure that schools are just as prepared and trained to respond in a time of crisis as those on the sideline of an NFL game."

Of course, Hamlin has become a leading voice in AED and CPR awareness in the months following his medical emergency ... and even started his own "3 For Heart" campaign.

Hamlin spent some time with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who paid homage to the player by wearing a custom #3 Bills jersey ... which included a special signed message from Damar himself, which read, "Thank you for the love and support."

Damar Hamlin's appearance on "The Masked Singer" was a powerful moment for those in attendance ... with judge Ken Jeong freaking out at the sight of the Bills safety!!

TMZ Sports broke the story -- Damar and his little brother, Damir, were guests at "The Masked Singer" last month ... the NFLer's first public outing after he suffered cardiac arrest on the field during Monday Night Football on Jan. 2.

The full clip of Hamlin's cameo during the show's "Sesame Street Night" episode has now been released via People ... showing Damir -- a big fan of Big Bird and Co. -- talking with Elmo before introducing Damar, who walked onstage and waved to the crowd.

The video shows just how incredible the segment was for everyone involved -- especially Jeong, who could not contain his excitement.

"I'm just so glad you're here, but more importantly, I'm just so glad you're healthy," Jeong said in the video. "The whole world loves you."

Damar explained to host Nick Cannon why he decided to attend the taping ... saying, "Mainly because my brother. That's my world. I put family first and he loves Sesame Street more than most things. So we had to make it tonight."

Damar Hamlin is breaking his silence on his controversial Super Bowl jacket ... saying he never meant to offend anybody by wearing it -- and calling it simply "abstract art."

Hamlin rocked the coat -- which featured a crucifix with an altered Jesus head on it -- to the Chiefs vs. Eagles game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. -- and a day later, Adrian Peterson ripped him for it.

The future Hall of Famer called it blasphemous and disrespectful. He said he later spoke to Hamlin to explain his opinion.

The 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety finally opened up about the situation on his Twitter page Wednesday afternoon ... saying he had absolutely no intent to disrespect anybody with outfit choice.

"After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people," Hamlin wrote.

"It was never my intentions to hurt or disrespect anyone, the coat is abstract art to me. It says Eternal which I am Eternally thankful to my Savior!"

He added, "My beliefs and Relationship with God is not tied to symbolic images."

The NFL player, who's still on the mend after going into cardiac arrest during a "Monday Night Football" game last month, then promised to learn from it all.

Damar Hamlin's incredible road to recovery now includes some new ink ... TMZ Sports has learned the Bills defensive back just got a space-themed hand tattoo to remind him of the healing journey he's currently on.

Hamlin hit up artist Andres Ortega out at Onder Ink in Arizona just a couple days before the Super Bowl to get the piece done ... and it came out amazing.

It covers the entirety of the back of his left hand and wrist -- and features an astronaut hitting a yoga pose in the middle of the Milky Way Galaxy.

Ortega, who tattoos all kinds of professional athletes including Bengals star wideout Tee Higgins, tells us Hamlin wanted the tat to show how he's been mending since he went into cardiac arrest during a "Monday Night Football" game on Jan. 2.

Ortega added that Hamlin was also looking to show how he's been finding peace in the weeks following the medical emergency.

The gifts keep on coming for Damar Hamlin ... the Buffalo Bills safety just received a diamond-encrusted pendant of his No. 3 jersey number with a red heart, and it's pretty sweet!

TMZ Sports has learned the 24-year-old went to the famed Rafaello and Co. jewelry store in Midtown Manhattan to grab the new bling from Gabriel Jacobs.

The #3 pendant's dope ... it's made of 14k white gold and packed with 3 carats of diamonds.

You can tell Hamlin loved it by his reaction! As a token of his appreciation, Hamlin signed a Bills jersey and gifted it to Gabriel.

Remember, Jacobs gifted the entire Bills team, as well as Damar's family, custom #3 pendants last month ... and he told us he planned to make one for Hamlin, too.

At the time, Von Miller showed off the 14k gold piece on his Instagram.

Of course, Hamlin's been receiving a ton of love since his medical emergency during 'Monday Night Football' on Jan 2. Hundreds of thousands of people (240K+) from across the world donated a total of $9 million.

Hamlin told us he plans to "change the world" with the money that was donated to his Chasing M's foundation.

Adrian Peterson's furious with the jacket Damar Hamlin wore at the Super Bowl, emblazoned with a crucifix with an altered Jesus head, unloading on the 24-year-old in a social media post, calling it "Blasphemy!!"

24-year-old Hamlin was at the game, sitting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Donna Kelce. Before kickoff, first responders who saved Damar's life were honored ... and the 24-year-old defensive back was on the field to watch.

Damar was wearing a $3,150 Takashi Murakami "Travis Jesus" jacket with the crucifix ... and it really ticked Peterson off.

"You should be thanking God son! This is Blasphemy!! We all fall short but cmon man! I find this disrespectful!! #grateful #goddid"

Interestingly, not everyone agrees with the future Hall of Famer, including former star running back Fred Taylor who believes AD handled the situation in the wrong way.

"You should DM him bro…I’m sure he’s listen to your opinion. Posting it doesn’t help anyone. He’s young, young ppl don’t always think before they wear things just like people who wear skulls and other things that doesn’t align with Christian beliefs. Try to reach him," Taylor wrote to Peterson.

But, Adrian, who is a devout Christian, still wasn't having it.

"But this was different! I know young people don’t think at times,older as well! But with everything surrounding his situation!! This isn’t one of those moments where it’s a young guy not thinking!" Peterson wrote back to Taylor.

As for Damar ... he is yet to respond to Adrian.

Damar Hamlin says he's physically "doing great" in his recovery from his cardiac arrest last month ... revealing he does hope to one day get back on the field.

The Buffalo Bills safety opened up about what life has been like since his Jan. 2 medical emergency during a "GMA" interview with Michael Strahan ... and he said there haven't been many -- if any -- lingering physical issues.

"I'm doing great," the 24-year-old said.

Hamlin, though, did tell Strahan that mentally it's been tough ... saying he's still processing everything and all the "trauma that comes from dealing with a situation like that."

But, despite that, the former 6th-round pick said he still hopes to play football again.

"Eventually, that's always the goal," Hamlin said, "but I'm allowing that to be in God's hands."

Hamlin said he's spoken with doctors about the possibility of being cleared to suit up for an NFL game down the road -- but revealed, "They can't really tell because it's like -- it's a up to me thing, I guess, or it's a long road. They're just worried about trying to get me back to normal as much as they can."

For now, Hamlin -- who received the NFLPA's Alan Page Community Award last week -- is focusing on his recovery ... while continuing to make an impact on communities through his charity work.

Damar Hamlin has big plans for the millions that were donated to his foundation after his cardiac arrest medical emergency ... telling TMZ Sports he's "gonna change the world."

Remember, over 240k contributors showed the Buffalo Bills' safety love in the form of U.S. dollars, donating over $9M to his Chasing M's Foundation following the terrifying incident during the Bengals game on Jan. 2.

The initial goal of the fundraiser, originally a holiday toy drive, was only $2,500 ... so when we caught up with Hamlin at the Etta restaurant in Phoenix on Friday, we had to ask what he planned on doing with all the cash.

"I'm gonna change the world," the 24-year-old said. "Change the world."

Of course, Hamlin's world has already changed since the Monday Night Football incident ... the former 6th-round pick is one of the most recognizable people in the league. And, he's already doing good ... Damar partnered with the American Heart Association. He also received the NFLPA's Alan Page Community Award.

Hamlin, who gives the most praise to God, also credited Bills' athletic trainer Denny Kellington for saving his life.

"He was literally the savior of my life, you know, administering CPR on me," Hamlin told Michael Strahan on "Good Morning America".

Damar Hamlin is heaping praise on Denny Kellington for performing CPR on him the night he went into cardiac arrest, calling the Bills assistant athletic trainer the "savior of my life."

"I owe Denny my life," Hamlin told Michael Strahan on "Good Morning America" on Friday ... "He loves to say he was just doing his job."

Hamlin said if Kellington didn't show up to work that night with a clear mind ... he might not be here, a reality he doesn't take for granted when reflecting on the moment

The 24-year-old safety acknowledged Denny was acting as any professional should in that instance, but respects the man for rising to the occasion even when things looked dire.

Hamlin was on tap at the NFL Honors ceremony Thursday ... where he delivered an inspiring speech alongside the medical professionals who helped keep him alive.

"First, I would like to just thank God for even being here,” Hamlin said. “Every day. I’m amazed that my experiences could encourage so many others across the country and even across the world, encourage the parade, encourage it, spread love, and keep fighting, no matter the circumstances."

During his speech, Hamlin said he met a doctor in the hospital who went through a similar experience as him, and reminded him that he was living proof Damar would be fine.

"I want to give a big thank you to him and a special thank you to everyone on the stage for everything they did for me," Hamlin said. "And thank you, everyone, around the country and around the world who prayed for me and hoped for me. The journey will continue.”

Earlier this week, the NFLPA awarded Hamlin the Alan Page Award for his charitable work in the community.

Damar Hamlin just received an incredible honor from the NFL Players Association ... and in his speech accepting the award, he told a throng of reporters that he was thankful to God "for being here."

The NFLPA presented Hamlin with the Alan Page Community Award at a ceremony at a Super Bowl event Wednesday afternoon ... recognizing him as a player who went above and beyond to perform community service in his team city and/or hometown.

Hamlin hopped on the mic after taking the trophy -- and spoke publicly for one of the first times since he went into cardiac arrest during a game last month.

"First, I just want to say, 'Thank you,'" Hamlin said. "Just thank God for being here and thank the other guys who were nominated for the award as well who did the work in their communities alongside me as well."

Hamlin beat out four others -- Patriots DB Jonathan Jones, Commanders OL Charles Leno Jr., Raiders TE Darren Waller, and Buccaneers linebacker Devin White -- for the prestigious honor.

In his acceptance speech, Hamlin said giving back to his community "has always been a big part of who I am." He thanked his father for instilling that value in him when he was young.

Even before his medical emergency, Hamlin had found ways to inspire others in his community ... hosting toy drives constantly, and distributing gifts to children in need in Pennsylvania through his Chasing M's Foundation.

Damar actually created a GoFundMe page for his non-profit org. -- and following his health scare, it raised over $9 million.

Buffalo Bills and Sabres owner Kim Pegula is dealing with both speech and memory issues after suffering cardiac arrest last year ... her daughter, Jessica Pegula, revealed on Tuesday.

The tennis star opened up about her mom's health in an emotional piece for The Players' Tribune -- explaining it's been an uphill battle for Kim after she nearly lost her life following a June 2022 medical emergency.

Jessica said she first learned of the issues involving the 53-year-old a few days after she had returned to the U.S. from the French Open last year.

"I got a call around midnight (on my mom’s birthday) from my sister Kelly who was staying at my parents' house," Jessica said. "Something was wrong with our mom, and she was headed to the hospital in an ambulance."

Jessica revealed Kim had gone into cardiac arrest while asleep -- though, thankfully, Kelly performed CPR on her until medics arrived.

"She saved her life," Jessica said of Kelly.

Jessica said her mom went on to spend a week in the ICU ... but after making small improvements with help from her team of doctors, she was moved into an in-patient care facility, where she began talking a little.

Now, Jessica said her mom is steadily improving ... but "she is dealing with significant expressive aphasia and significant memory issues."

"She can read, write, and understand pretty well," Jessica said, "but she has trouble finding the words to respond."

"It is hard to deal with," she added, "and it takes a lot of patience to communicate with her, but I thank God every day that we can still communicate with her at all."

Jessica says she was in Sydney, Australia last month for a tennis event when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a similar health scare to her mother ... and she said she immediately became sick over it all.

"My stomach sunk because it felt like the exact same thing all over again," Jessica said ... before revealing she told one of her teammates, "I am a little freaked out right now, this is too close to home, and I feel like I am going to have a panic attack."

"Again, I usually don’t get too much anxiety, but the thought of what Damar and his family were about to go through hurt my heart. I knew how important time was. I just kept thinking time, time, time, time. I hope they got him back and quick enough."

Damar Hamlin was a special guest at a taping for "The Masked Singer" Tuesday night ... marking one of the Buffalo Bills safety's first appearances since his medical emergency last month.

TMZ Sports has obtained pictures from the set of the taping ... showing the 24-year-old holding a football and smiling on stage alongside host Nick Cannon, with his name in big red letters on the screen behind him.

Hamlin made his first public appearance at the Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals game on Jan. 22 ... but while he was present to show support for his team, he did not speak to the media.

Hamlin has since posted videos on his social media -- thanking his supporters and kickstarting a CPR challenge campaign with the American Heart Association.

We're told Hamlin attended the taping alongside his young brother, Damir, who's a big fan of the show ... and he wanted to come along to check out the action.

Damar Hamlin is kickstarting a campaign to spread CPR awareness and training following his on-field medical scare earlier this month ... teaming up with the American Heart Association to create the "3 For Heart" challenge.

The Buffalo Bills safety announced the move in an Instagram video ... saying, "Once again, I want to thank everybody for their love and support over these past few weeks."

"As you know, CPR saved my life earlier this year on the field, and CPR could easily save your life or someone you love."

To help the raise awareness for the procedure, Hamlin and the AHA came up with the social media campaign ... which includes three steps: learn hands-only CPR, donate to the AHA to fund CPR awareness and education, and challenge three people to do the same.

Hamlin started the movement by calling out Tom Brady, LeBron James and Michelle Obama to get involved.

As we previously reported, the medical staffers who immediately took action and performed CPR on Hamlin during Monday Night Football were credited with saving his life after suffering cardiac arrest on the field on Jan. 2.

Hamlin has been on the road to recovery ever since ... and continues to improve by the day.

Damar Hamlin is speaking to the public for the first time on camera since his life-threatening health scare on the field -- and he has a lot to say ... including a ton of thank-yous.

The Bills safety posted a video Saturday, where he's sitting down and venting his thoughts in his own words ... and it's pretty touching. He describes the terrifying hit he took on MNF as somewhat of a blessing -- saying he feels as though it served as a vessel to inspire others.

DH says he believes, through that tough time, he was able to put his passion for the game of football on display ... which he thinks will serve others going forward, especially kids.

He also thinks this was a great example of humanity over everything ... with all teams across the NFL coming together to support Damar through his healing journey. Damar also heaped a lot of gratitude and praise for several individuals ... starting with the Bills medical staff.

Damar went down the list of team doctors and personnel who were on the field that day and worked on him ... rendering CPR and other life-saving measures. He went on to thank the doctors at the hospitals he was at, his teammates, Bills Mafia at large and the NFL as well.

Of course, he gave a nod to everyone who was sending him well-wishes ... including the folks who donated millions of dollars to his toy drive. Damar says it helped him recover.

Damar has been vocal online since his incident, supporting his guys both from his hospital bed and even in person last week -- tweeting out words of encouragement along the way.

The Bills might be now outta the playoffs -- but the Damar Hamlin tributes are still pouring in ... this time, Eagles running back Miles Sanders rocked some spikes to honor the injured safety, and he loved 'em!!

The 25-year-old tailback showed off the feet heat on his Instagram page Thursday ... and the pair of tribute shoes are awesome.

One cleat features a portrait of Hamlin surrounded by a heart. The other has his No. 3 jersey number. There's also an ode to the famous "Did we win?" line he uttered to doctors in the days after he suffered his on-field medical emergency during the Jan. 2 Bengals-Bills game.

Both cleats have "Love For Damar" written on them as well -- with Hamlin's foundation, "Chasing M's," on the back.

Hamlin clearly loved the shout-out and the design, re-sharing Sanders' vid on his social media page while writing, "unreal."

Several NFL players have shown the 24-year-old love since he suffered the cardiac arrest ... including Tom Brady, who donated $10,000 to Hamlin's toy drive foundation that's currently at $9 million and counting.

A mural was also made by a local artist in Buffalo, and celeb jeweler Gabriel Jacobs gifted 80 gold #3 pendants to the Bills team.