Damar Hamlin Speaks on Camera to Thank Fans and First Responders Amid 'Clone' Conspiracy Theories

The Buffalo Bills safety sent a thank-you message to everyone who has supported him during his recovery from cardiac arrest: "This is just the beginning."

Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills walks to the tunnel
Getty

Image via Getty/Bryan Bennett

Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills walks to the tunnel

Damar HamlinΒ shared a videoΒ Saturday, thanking everyone who has supported him throughout his recovery process.

The post came less than a month after theΒ Buffalo BillsΒ safety suffered cardiac arrest during a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. The video also marked Hamlin’s first time speaking on camera since the in-game collapse.Β 

β€œI can’t tell you howΒ appreciative I am of all the love, allΒ the support, and everything that’s just been comingΒ my way,” he said in the nearly six-minute video. β€œWhat happened to me on Monday Night FootballΒ I feel is aΒ direct example of God using me as aΒ vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world, and I’m now able to give it back to kids and communities all across the world, who need it the most. And that’s always been my dream.”

The video came amid online conspiracy theories that Hamlin had died after he collapsed in early January. The rumors surged after the 24-year-old attended the Bills’ Jan.Β 22 playoff game, donning a hood over his head and a partial face mask. Some were convinced that the man in the videos wasn’t Hamlin, but ratherΒ β€œclone” or β€œbody-double” intended to provide cover for the NFL.

Hamlin poked fun at the bizarre theories in a Jan. 23 tweet that read: β€œclone.”

So why did he wait so long to speak publicly? Because he simply needed time.

β€œIt was a lot to process within my own selfβ€”mentally, physically, even spiritually. It’s just been a lot to process ...” he explained. β€œWhile I’m so thankful to everybody, I know that it isn’t enough just to be thankful. This is just the beginning of the impact that I wanted to have on the world, and with God’s guidance I will continue to do wonderful and great things.”

He continued: β€œI couldn’t do this without any of the support and the love, and I can’t wait to continue to take y’all on this journey with me.”

You can check out the full video below.

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