The awesome tributes for Damar Hamlin continue to roll in as he recovers less than a week since suffering cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the days since, we’ve been treated to plenty of great news as the Buffalo Bills safety continues his extraordinary progress following one of the scariest incidents we’ve ever witnessed on a football field.
In recent days, the NFL has announce a number of ways in which all 32 teams will show their support for Hamlin, as he continues to recover at the University of Cincinnati medical center. And this morning, the Bills announced another measure they’ll take to honor their second-year star.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bills have revealed that they plan to pay Hamlin his salary in full.
After selecting the Pittsburgh safety in the sixth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bills signed Hamlin to a 4-year, $3,640,476 contract. This season he’s set to make $825,000.
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According to Rapoport, there was a “split” in his contract that would allow the team to pay him only a portion of his salary if he lands on I.R., which is where he was placed earlier this week. However, the Bills were able to work out an agreement with the NFL and NFLPA that allows them to pay Hamlin his full rate.
Via NFL.com:
Though Hamlin’s four-year, $3.64 million rookie contract contains a standard split to pay him at a lower rate if he lands on IR, Buffalo worked out an agreement with the NFL and NFLPA to pay his full rate for Week 18’s games, Rapoport reported.
The Bills defensive back, 24, was set to earn $825,000 in 2022, with his split rate on injured reserve at $455,000. That’s a difference of $20,555.56 for one week. Buffalo worked it out so he’ll receive the whole thing, even though he’s not on the active roster.
The Bills will have a special pregame moment for Hamlin and all of the first responders who helped save his life on Monday night. The team will also be wearing hats with the number “3” on the sidelines in honor of the 24-year-old defensive back.
The Bills will host the New England Patriots in what will certainly be an emotional game this afternoon. While the Patriots need a win in order to make the playoffs, the Bills also have plenty to play for, as a win would ensure they don’t have to travel to Kansas City for a possible AFC Championship matchup. Instead, if the two teams met before the Super Bowl, it would be at a neutral site.
On top of that, you can bet the Bills will want to win this game for Hamlin, who’s expected to be watching from his hospital bed as his teammates try and get this “W” for him.
