What We Know About Damar Hamlin And Kenny Pickett's Relationship

On January 2, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin took a routine tackle in a game against the Cinncinati Bengals and suffered a cardiac arrest. Per Variety, the game was canceled entirely. Football is a rough-and-tumble sport and fans have seen play resume after heavy hits — but the NFL's decision this time around proved it has the wellbeing of its players at heart. The cancellation also hinged upon the fact that both the Bills and Bengals had already clinched playoff spots, not to mention resuming the game at another time would have delayed other playoff games by a week (via Variety).

On January 9, Hamlin tweeted that he'd been discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after making a miraculous recovery. "Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love [in] my heart," he wrote. "Watching the world come together around me ... was truly an amazing feeling." Indeed, the outpouring of love from the NFL community has been incredible to see! From holding vigils to celebrating Hamlin in the stands, there's been no shortage of support for the safety. As of this writing, Hamlin's GoFundMe for a toy drive has racked up $8.7 million, and his teammates continue to honor him on the field. "FINAL: The @BuffaloBills win #ForDamar," the NFL tweeted on January 8, following the Bills' victory against the New England Patriots.

But even though Hamlin is on the road to recovery, his injury continues to impact others in the league, including his friend, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Kenny Pickett and Damar Hamlin go way back. According to The Athletic, Hamlin grew up a stone's throw from the Pittsburgh Steeler's facility. He attended college at the University of Pittsburgh, where he played alongside Pickett for years, including their tenure as captains. This time together "creat[ed] special bonds. [Damar is] like family to me," Pickett explained, adding that he stayed in touch with his buddy despite the fact that they now play for different teams. (Case in point: peep this earlier exchange between the two of them!) In light of recent events, "Guys around the league are all checking in on each other, making sure everyone's OK, especially guys who played with [Damar] on the Buffalo team or back at Pitt," Pickett said.

While Hamlin remained in critical condition, Pickett opened up about his former teammate in a press conference, calling him "an unbelievable person." "Guy from Pittsburgh, stayed home. Could've gone anywhere he wanted to," he shared. "Stayed home and we had a great run together. He had an unbelievable career at Pitt. ... All around great person, great family." Perhaps inspired by Pickett's special relationship with Hamlin, Fox 29 reported the Steelers honored Hamlin by donating supplies to Kelly & Nina's Daycare, where the Bills player hosts a toy drive every year. Per ESPN, the facility is co-owned by Hamlin's mother, and his decision to launch the toy drive stemmed from his desire "to positively impact the community that raised me."

Kenny Pickett isn't the only one of Damar Hamlin's former teammates to speak out. Tennessee Titan's linebacker Rashad Weaver told ClutchPoints that he and Hamlin have remained close after their days together at Pitt. "That's a guy I talk to, whether it be on social media, Snapchat, text or anything, at least probably once a week," Weaver revealed. "[Damar] has his own little clothing brand called 'Chasing M's,' it's about chasing your dreams, chasing millions. ...I have my own brand, g2r, we're just always interact[ing] and tell[ing] each other to keep going."

Another one-time teammate, Indianapolis Colts' safety Rodney Thomas II played with Hamlin in high school, per Colts.com, and went to visit his friend in the ICU. "I know [Damar] could hear me," Thomas said. "Even if he couldn't hear me, it didn't matter. I said what I had to say." According to AP News, he paid tribute to his buddy in a January 8 game against the Houston Texans, saying he was "glad ... to go out there and make a play and honor [Damar] the way I did." There are dozens more stories like this — from Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen to Kansas City Chief's superstar Patrick Mahomes, the entirety of the NFL has thrown its weight behind Hamlin.

Following Hamlin's injury, his alma mater posted that he "is the best of us." Judging by way NFL players talk about him, it rings true.