It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Damar Hamlin, who was presented with the George Halas Award on Monday, voted on by the Pro Football Writers of America.

The award, named after the former head coach of the Chicago Bears, is given each year to an NFL player, coach or staff member that overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

On a Monday Night Football encounter just days into 2023, Hamlin collapsed after making a tackle in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals, going into cardiac arrest in a shocking scene at Paycor Stadium.

That game between the Bills and Bengals was officially cancelled as a result, with Hamlin needing to be resuscitated on the field before being taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre in critical condition.

Thankfully the 25-year-old was treated there for a week before being moved to Buffalo, where he was eventually released on January 11, nine days after nearly losing his life.

Last month Hamlin said that doctors concluded that a hit to the chest caused his heart to stop as he suffered a rare condition known as commotio cordis.

It is triggered when one suffers a severe blow to the chest, causing the heart to quiver and stop pumping blood efficiently, leading to cardiac arrest.

Hamlin is the 55th recipient of the award and the second Bills player to receive it, beating out Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Brian Robinson Jr. and Geno Smith.

On April 18, the Bills safety was cleared to return to football and said, “This was a life-changing event, but it’s not the end of my story,”. “I plan on making a comeback to the NFL.”

Last year Commanders head coach Ron Rivera captured the award after facing cancer without missing a game.