Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest after being hit during an NFL game, was welcomed to the White House Thursday by President Joe Biden.
Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored on the field after he collapsed during a game at Cincinnati on January 2. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance in critical condition, but awoke four days later and began breathing on his own.
Since then, he has started campaigning to put CPR equipment in schools to boost chances of lives being saved.
“The President thanked Damar for his courage, resilience, and can-do spirit which has inspired the American people,” a White House statement said.
“He commended Damar for his efforts – including through legislation – to bring people together and make life-saving technologies more widely available,” it added.
Hamlin earlier said on Twitter that he wanted his story to help American young people in high schools, colleges and universities.
His doctor has said that he will play again.
