Damar Hamlin has long seemed like the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year, and Joe Flacco doesn’t think the Bills defensive back should lose.
The Browns quarterback, who emerged from the sidelines late in the season to lead the team into the playoffs, gave his support to Hamlin, the overwhelming favorite to win the award going into the playoffs, on Friday.
One of the award’s nominees, Hamlin, made a limited comeback to the field for the Bills this season following a cardiac arrest he had during a January “Monday Night Football” Week 17 matchup against the Bengals.
Joe Flacco backs Damar Hamlin to win the award
For the 2023 season, Hamlin has already been awarded the Pro Football Writers of America version of the award.
He is competing against Flacco, quarterbacks Baker Mayfield of the Bucs, Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins, and Matthew Stafford of the Rams for the Associated Press award.
Damar Hamlin of Bills in action
Flacco restated his belief that Hamlin ought to win it. Speaking to CBS radio, Joe said,
“For sure,” “I don’t know how many snaps he played. I just think mentally, to get yourself back to the point where you feel comfortable doing that kind of thing is pretty cool.”“I don’t necessarily know what I’m coming back from,” “I would say most of the guys on that list, I’m not sure what we’re coming back from, so that’s probably my initial reaction.”
"I'm just coming back from being old and not being on a team for a couple months."-@JoeFlacco
Joe Flacco says Damar Hamlin should win Comeback Player of the Year. @CBSSportsRadio @HamlinIsland pic.twitter.com/agmBivvBN5
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) January 26, 2024
After playing for the Jets in 2022, Flacco, who turned 39 on January 16th, was not listed on any NFL roster when the season began.
In five appearances, the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII completed just 57.6% of his passes for 1,051 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions last season. On Nov. 20, Flacco finally joined the Browns’ practice squad following a string of ailments sustained by quarterback Josh Allen.
