“It was a scary moment” - Joe Burrow looks back on Damar Hamlin’s 2023 cardiac arrest

Joe Burrow was part of one of the most terrifying incidents ever to take place on the football field when Damar Hamlin collapsed during a game last year. Yesterday, Burrow opened up about the limbo period when the decision to continue playing the game was still under consideration.

On Jan. 2, 2023, during the Week 17 matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin collapsed on the field after tackling Bengals WR Tee Higgins. Both members of the team surrounded Hamlin while he received medical treatment, the aura of unease surrounding everyone present in the arena.

The NFL took one hour to suspend the game. Joe Burrow discussed this period on the "Pardon My Take" podcast:

​

​

​

​

“It was definitely weird. It got late in that week and I was like ‘We’re playing football? Still?’ ... It was definitely a challenge. But fortunately, he was all good.

"And he’s doing his thing now. I’ve seen him at all these events and I’m always happy to see him because he’s a great guy. But it was a scary moment for sure.” [Timestamp - 1:39:59–1:40:26]

Joe Burrow also complimented his counterpart, Josh Allen, and the head coaches of both teams for their call to stop the game. Damar Hamlin regained consciousness on January 5 and made a full recovery, even participating in the 2023 season for the Bills.

Joe Burrow is itching to make a comeback

During the midway point of the last season, Burrow injured the wrist of his throwing arm and had to sit out for the rest of the season. Now that the Bengals man is fit, he recently outlined his expectations from the season while speaking to Complex Sports. He said:

​

​

​

​

"The biggest strides this year are going to be my body and learning how to get through the season, get through practices with my body, feeling tip, top shape. And so that's the main focus for the off-season.”

The Bengals will start their mandatory full training camp on July 24. It will be the last chance for Joe Burrow to brush up on the plays before his comeback season.

​