EXCLUSIVE: Former Falcons coach Mike Smith elaborates the impact Damar Hamlin's story has had on NFL community
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has weighed in on Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest and subsequent continued recovery. Much like the rest of the NFL world, he has been thinking about the Buffalo Bills player and his recovery. But with every sign of Damar Hamlin's progress, it looks as if the story will have a happy ending. Speaking to Sportskeeda's "The BallFather Podcast", Mike Smith said,
"An unbelievable story. And you know what a difference a week makes, but you can see how our society came together, not just the football world, but the entire world has been galvanized by, you know, a tragic situation that's had a great ending, you know, to see Damar walk out of the hospital. And, you know, hopefully, he's going to have a complete recovery."
Mike Smith also highlighted the positive impact it has had, including on the player's family and the causes he supports.
"You know, I don't know that we specifically know that right now. But if he has a complete recovery, what what a great story and how much money has been raised, because of his family, and what they, you know, in what they've done, you know, they started this, this toy drive, and then he goes, you talk about going viral? It's just, you know, it's just unbelievable. And it's going to change the lives of so many people. It changed Damar's life. And hopefully, he'll be able to play football again. But what, you know, what a story. I mean, just cannot believe that, you know, the story."
Damar Hamlin's situation has the chance to make the NFL better, says Mike Smith
Mike Smith also believes that there are lessons to be learnt from Damar Hamlin's incident that could make the league and all levels of the sport safer for players. He said,
"Let's make sure that we all understand that there's the possibility that that situation can happen again, we certainly hope it doesn't. But, you know, this situation is going to help the NFL, in football in general, to have better protocols to make sure that the players are safe. And that I think is the most important thing, and will they'll get the best practices for all levels. I mean, you know, It wouldn't surprise me if there's going to be changes in the NCAA, and in high school football all the way down. And that's a great thing for our society, a bad thing turned into a good thing."
If indeed football takes Mike Smith's advice, then Damar Hamlin's story will have the perfect ending.