It's Bizarre That Damar Hamlin's Number is On The Back of The Buffalo Bills' Ambulance
Everyone knows the story of Damar Hamlin. The Buffalo Bills defensive back who died on the football field last season in Week 17 versus the Cincinnati Bengals, then was taken to the hospital where they were able to extract his DNA and clone him so that the NFL could cover up their first on-field death since 1971.
Just kidding. I think the doctors just saved his life for real. But to have his name and number on the back of the ambulance like a retired jersey hanging in the rafters is kind of strange right? It's like a tribute to Damar Hamlin for having the most notable ambulance worthy performance in Buffalo Bills history. "You know what Damar, a lot of people have been in that ambulance, but NOBODY did it like you."
That's probably insensitive to say. It's obviously a nice thought. Damar Hamlin nearly died putting his life on the line for the Buffalo Bills, and the team is appreciative of that. But every time that ambulance rolls out there, do we need to remind everyone that someone almost died in there? Do you think Damar Hamlin wants the Damar Hamlin Memorial Ambulance carting off players with severe, potentially life-altering injuries for the remainder of time? Last night when Bills running back Damien Harris was taken off the field, was the Damar Hamlin themed ambulance an encouraging reminder of how incredible the doctors and medical staff were that saved his life, or is it just a scary reminder that you could fucking die on the football field at any moment.
I can't speak for Damar Hamlin. If he appreciates the ambulance that who am I to say they shouldn't put his name on there. Damien Harris getting taken off the field last night was clearly an emotional moment for him.
All I know is that when I saw the ambulance last night I thought "Well, that's sort of weird." And from what I've seen, most people had a similar reaction. We've definitely never seen anything like it before. There's not much to even compare it to. There's no precedent set for the appropriate way to move forward after something like that happens. Maybe we'll start seeing other teams memorializing life threatening mid-game injuries on their team ambulances. Whoever gets devastated the hardest on the field gets rewarded with an ambulance decal. Sounds like a fun trend.
