Damar Hamlin Makes Surprise Appearance at Highmark Stadium Ahead of Bills-Bengals Playoff Game

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a surprise appearance at Highmark Stadium on Sunday ahead of the team’s AFC divisional round playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin had been out of the public eye since collapsing on the field during a game against the Bengals three weeks ago.

The Bills posted a video to social media showing Hamlin arriving at the team’s locker room and the message “Welcome home, Damar.” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Hamlin began making regular visits to the team’s facility soon after his release from the hospital.

Hamlin was spotted entering the Bills locker room, ahead of the Bills-Bengals playoff game. He was in street clothes and later seen leaving the dressing room and taking an elevator up to a suite. The Bills posted video of Hamlin in cart inside Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, with the message, “Welcome home.”

The 24-year-old safety has been recovering since his collapse on the field during the Jan. 2 game. He was taken to a local hospital and released a few days later.

The Bills and Bengals met on Jan. 2 in a game that came to an abrupt halt and eventually was canceled after Hamlin’s collapse on the field. It is unclear if Hamlin will be able to return to the field this season, but his presence at the stadium on Sunday was a sign of hope for the team.