Bills' Damar Hamlin chosen as PFWA 2023 George Halas Award winner

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin hasn't yet made a complete in-game return to the NFL but continues to be the league's top overall winner of 2023. 

The Pro Football Writers of America announced on Monday afternoon that Hamlin has been selected as the organization's 2023 George Halas Award winner. 

Along with Hamlin, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. were finalists for the Halas Award that is "given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed." 

No disrespect meant to the other candidates, but Hamlin deserved to win such an award this year more so than any other athlete from the "big four" North American professional sports leagues. 

Hamlin famously went into cardiac arrest during a "Monday Night Football" game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2 and required CPR on the field until his heartbeat was restored. The 25-year-old experienced the medical emergency shortly after he made what seemed to be a routine tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and later acknowledged he suffered a condition known as "commotio cordis." 

The American Heart Association defines "commotio cordis" as "an extremely rare, serious medical condition that can happen after a sudden, blunt impact to the chest" that "can disrupt the heartbeat and cause sudden cardiac arrest." 

Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed on April 18 that Hamlin was cleared to resume football-related activities, and the 2021 sixth-round draft pick later declared he's working on making a full comeback. As of Monday afternoon, OddsChecker listed Hamlin as the overwhelming betting favorite at -650 odds to earn Comeback Player of the Year honors for the 2023 season. To compare, the next six players mentioned were +2500 underdogs behind Hamlin at that time.

It was learned last week that Hamlin left a letter for Bills teammates in their lockers that addressed all that has occurred since that fateful January night.