The entire NFL is recognizing Damar Hamlin in Week 18, but for the players in the league who have known him longest, his collapse last Monday undoubtedly felt more personal.
That's clearly true of Colts safety Rodney Thomas, who spoke this week on Hamlin, whom he played with in high school. Following an interception against the Texans, Thomas ran to the 30-yard line -- which has been outlined throughout the league -- and pointed with purpose to pay tribute.
Colts safety and Damar Hamlin's high school teammate Rodney Thomas II honors Damar after his interception 🫶#LoveForDamar @HamlinIsland @Rodney_Thomas26 pic.twitter.com/Zu2gyQ2tKg
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
Hamlin saw the tribute, and reacted on social media.
🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾 Rod Dawg! @Rodney_Thomas26 https://t.co/a4UEVGa17E
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
The two athletes went to Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"Being able to just see him, and his people, it calmed me way down," Thomas said this week of visiting Hamlin, per Anthony Calhoun. "It made that trip home a lot easier, I could just go home and know that he's gonna be steady."
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Hamlin was locked in on Bills vs. Patriots Sunday, but Thomas' gesture undoubtedly won't go unnoticed.
Hamlin said it best himself ahead of the game:
GameDay.. Nothing I Want More Than To Be Running Out That Tunnel With My Brothers. God Using Me In A Different Way Today. Tell Someone You Love Them Today! 🫶🏾3️⃣ let’s go @BuffaloBills ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/XgA7S3Bpvn
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023
The outpouring of love and support is difficult to miss, and the entire league clearly has Hamlin on the brain, no matter the stakes of the games they're playing in.
