Joe Flacco, quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, returned from lounging on his couch, while Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills, came back from the dead. The magnitude of Hamlin’s comeback is unparalleled in professional football, and the fact that Flacco was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year is offensive. Flacco’s achievements were impressive but not unprecedented, as he quarterbacked the Browns to a 4-1 stretch run and an AFC Wildcard berth, accounting for 13 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in a five-game sample. In contrast, Hamlin collapsed in Week 17 of the 2022 season, suffering cardiac arrest, and was resuscitated by Buffalo’s medical personnel. Only nine months later, Hamlin was back on the field in an NFL game, an achievement that is remarkable. Despite being inactive for 12 regular season games, Hamlin remained on the 53-man roster and played in five regular season games and the playoffs. Hamlin’s mental and physical recovery to return to the NFL field was a feat that should have earned him the Comeback Player of the Year award.
