Damar Hamlin's return to the NFL after suffering an on-field cardiac arrest against the Cincinnati Bengals at the end of 2022 NFL season has proven inspirational to many, including New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers expressed his admiration for the Buffalo Bills safety after Buffalo's 23-20 win over New York on "Monday Night Football" in Week 6 of the 2024 season. The 40-year-old swapped jerseys with his 26-year-old counterpart and penned a heartfelt message to him as part of the exchange.
"You’re an inspiration to me and millions!" Rodgers wrote. "Much love, my brother!"
Hamlin appeared to be the one who initiated the jersey swap. He approached Rodgers on the field after the game, and the two had a brief discussion before heading to their respective locker rooms.
Rodgers eventually sent his jersey over to Hamlin, and pictures of the safety holding the quarterback's jersey circulated quickly on social media.
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Hamlin, who has participated in several jersey swaps since his improbable return to the NFL during the 2023 preseason, was particularly thrilled to land Rodgers' uniform. He expressed that he felt like a kid on Christmas after the exchange.
That's hardly a surprise considering that Hamlin, 26, likely grew up watching Rodgers, 40, play with the Green Bay Packers. Hamlin would have been 10 years old during Rodgers' first season as a full-time starter in 2008.
Rodgers was not asked about the jersey swap during his postgame news conference. Instead, he detailed his frustration with the officiating – Adrian Hill's crew called a combined 22 penalties for 204 yards – in the tense, sloppy divisional clash.
Now, both Rodgers and Hamlin will have a token by which to remember their second head-to-head matchup of their NFL careers. Rodgers completed 23-of-35 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the contest while Hamlin was responsible for seven tackles and a pass breakup in the Bills victory.
