ESPN raised eyebrows during Thursday’s ESPY Awards broadcast by showing footage of cardiac arrest survivor Damar Hamlin as former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason discussed his life-or-death battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Hamlin, a 26-year-old safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed on the field in Cincinnati after tackling Bengals safety Tee Higgins on Jan. 3, 2023. Higgins required immediate treatment on the turf, where paramedics were able to restore his heart rhythm before rushing him to a nearby hospital. Doctors ultimately determined that Hamlin was a victim of commotio cordis, a rare condition in which the heart rhythm is disrupted by a blow to the chest.
Hamlin has since returned to the field, but for many he remains a symbol of the dangers of American football.
Naturally, it caught viewers’ attention when cameras quickly panned to Hamlin immediately after Gleason uttered the words “I would have been dead years ago” during his emotional speech.
“Anyone else find this weird?” one fan commented on X.
ESPN’s parent network ABC shows a shot of Damar Hamlin during Steve Gleason’s speech.
Gleason’s speech was delivered by computer and was accompanied by his son, Rivers (right).
“The ESPY is a total failure,” added another.
ESPN spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment on Friday.
Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.
He was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2011. His nonprofit organization, Team Gleason, helps people with ALS live purposeful lives by providing programming and support services.
Gleason received a standing ovation as he rode onto the stage in a motorized chair and was kissed by former New Orleans Saints teammate Drew Brees. Gleason’s voice was heard through special technology. His young son, Rivers, stood next to his father and held the trophy.
“For me, this honor represents an encouragement and a triumph for families currently living with ALS, all people living with disabilities or other illnesses,” she said. “I guess if you’ve never experienced fear, isolation or suffering, you can get out of here.”
Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals safety Tee Higgins on Jan. 3, 2023.
After his heart was restarted, Hamlin was rushed to the hospital to continue his recovery.
Damar Hamlin and Daisy Ridley speak onstage during the 2024 ESPY Awards
Hamlin played in five games this season, in addition to Buffalo’s two playoff matchups. He even carried the ball in the divisional round against Kansas City on a fake punt that was stopped.
He was a finalist in the Comeback Player of the Year category, which speaks to the impact his health ordeal had. Hamlin received the most first-place votes, but earned fewer points than winner Joe Flacco.
The football world has shown great interest in Hamlin’s return. He runs the Chasing M’s Foundation, which is dedicated to youth health and safety through sport. He hopes that children across the country can have access to the medical care that saved his life.
“People donated to show their support and love. They saw that I was a young man who cared about others and cared about giving back,” Hamlin said in February. “Everyone wanted to give me the opportunity to do it on a larger scale.”