By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-25 18:00:08 | Updated at 2024-12-26 05:48:44
12 hours ago
Damar Hamlin is celebrating after a heart health bill that he advocated for was signed into law this week by President Joe Biden.
Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against the Bengals in 2023, and his life was narrowly saved by immediate CPR and defibrillation.
And now, the The Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, and Research, and AED Training in the Schools Act of 2024 (HEARTS Act), will help put defibrillators in schools and increase access to CPR training.
Hamlin worked on the bill with New York Senator Chuck Schumer, while the NFL's Smart Hearts Coalition also helped the initiative.
'It's super dope, man. Shoutout to Senator Schumer. Shoutout to the Smart Hearts Coalition. Shoutout to the American Heart Association and to my Chasing M's foundation,' Hamlin told ESPN.
'We all came together to make some legacy off the field. I always wanted to, in my life, leave a legacy on the field, but to have a legacy and have meaning and purpose off the field.'
Damar Hamlin worked on the HEARTS Act along with New York Senator Chuck Schumer
Hamlin collapsed after making a seemingly routine tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins
The safety is now back on the field and consistently starting games for the 12-3 Bills
Previously, the bill had been passed by the House of Representatives in September, and received unanimous approval from the Senate on December 10, as ESPN noted.
President Biden signed the bill into law on Monday.
After making his return to the field in Week 4 of the 2023 season - and only receiving sporadic playing time last season - Hamlin has become an integral part of the Bills defense this year.
He's started 13 of 15 games this year and has registered two interceptions and five passes defended - both career-highs.
Hamlin and the 12-3 Bills will look to keep rolling when they host the Jets this weekend.
