'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwgQAAEDBAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxEABAUGBxITFCEiMQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAURAQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwARBCEx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDOW87dd4PPuNMNlbaLQOoC1yoHqcsExB9RHypw5xBzAcUO3sjCj5LApSjw5nLY7b7JL27ku3KdgVXTKwh551n/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NFL Honors got many smiles, but the most emotional appearance was by Damar Hamlin. The Buffalo Bills player, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals, was on hand to bring a tear to everyone's eye who saw the ceremony.
When he collapsed on the field during the game, no one knew for sure that he would be able to come back. To see him stand there and speak to the NFL community was a show of character and a triumph of will. He said,
"First, I will like to just thank God for being here. Every day, I am amazed that my experiences could encourage so many others across the country and even across the world. Encourage to pray, encourage to spread love, and encourage to keep fighting no matter the circumstances.
"Sudden cardiac arrest was nothing I would have ever chosen to be a part of my story. But that's because sometimes our own visions are too small even when we think we are seeing the bigger picture. My vision was about playing in the NFL and being the best player that I could be. But God's plan was to have a purpose greater than any game in this world."
NFL fans were moved by his appearance and could not help but celebrate his recovery and his character on social media. In a place that is normally so divisive, Damar Hamlin succeeded in uniting people there as well. Here are some of the responses on Twitter.
Tributes paid to the medical professionals who saved Damar Hamlin's life
Bringing more meaning into the speech was seeing Damar Hamlin flanked by the people who saved his life. The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals medical staff, along with doctors from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, were on stage and received a standing ovation before Damar Hamlin eventually walked in.
They deserve all the credit for making this moment possible. Underscoring everyone's unanimity in thanking medical professionals, it also emerged that they featured in MVP votes as well. Buffalo Bills' assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington, who performed the initial CPR that saved his stricken team player's life, received a fifth-place vote for the MVP award.
There are many moments that transend the sport itself. As Damar Hamlin so eloquently put it, this was one of those moments. Just as it gave him a higher purpose beyond football, he succeeded in bringing the wider world together to celebrate in his recovery.
