Damar Hamlin to deliver next Kennedy Lecture at OHIO on March 17

The Ohio University community is invited to the Kennedy Lecture on Tuesday, March 17, featuring National Football League (NFL) player Damar Hamlin.

The Kennedy Lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom. All students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to attend.

Hamlin was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 NFL Draft and became a starter in 2022, playing a successful season until suffering from Commotio Cordis in a nationally televised game.

What followed has become one of the most remarkable comeback stories in sports history. Hamlin defied the odds and came back to play the following seasons and continues to play for the Buffalo Bills. 

In 2023, Hamlin launched the CPR Tour, a groundbreaking initiative through the Chasing M’s Foundation. The tour has equipped more than 1,200 individuals with life-saving skills, providing 170 AEDs to communities in need, and catalyzing legislative changes in 12 states.

Hamlin also established the Heroes Scholarship in Cincinnati, honoring the medical workers who were pivotal to his recovery and supporting the next generation of healthcare heroes. 

Hamlin is the winner of multiple awards and recognition for his skill and courage on the football field and his impact on healthcare in communities nationwide. He is a dedicated advocate for increasing awareness of CPR training and AED access. 

Driven by a profound purpose, Hamlin channels his experience into programs that encourage young people to pursue their dreams. In every sense, he is not just an athlete but a champion to uplift and inspire those around him.

For more information on Hamlin and the Kennedy Lecture Series, see the Kennedy Lecture Series website.