ESPN raised eyebrows during Thursday’s ESPY Award broadcast by cutting to a shot of cardiac-arrest survivor Damar Hamlin as former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason discussed his life-and-death battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Hamlin, a 26-year-old Buffalo Bills safety, famously collapsed on the field in Cincinnati after tackling Bengals safety Tee Higgins on January 3, 2023. Higgins required immediate treatment on the turf, where paramedics were able to restore his heartbeat before rushing him to a nearby hospital. Doctors ultimately determined that Hamlin fell victim to commotio cordis – a rare condition in which cardiac rhythm is disrupted by a blow to the chest.
Hamlin has since returned to the field, but to many, remains a symbol of the dangers of tackle football.
So naturally, it caught viewers’ attention when cameras quickly cut to Hamlin immediately after Gleason uttered the words ‘I’d have been dead years ago’ during his emotional speech.
‘Anyone else found that weird,’ one fan remarked on X.
‘ESPYs total failure,’ added another.
ESPN spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment on Friday.
Gleason was being 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, Team Gleason, helps people with ALS live purposeful lives by providing programming and support services.
Gleason received a standing ovation when he took 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 some encouragement and triumph for the families currently living with ALS, all the people living with disabilities or other illnesses,’ he said. ‘I suppose if you have never experienced fear, isolation or suffering, you can roll your sanctified ass right out of here.’
Hamlin played in five games this season, plus both of Buffalo´s postseason matchups. He actually carried the ball in the divisional round against Kansas City on an ill-fated fake punt that was stopped.
He was the runner-up for Comeback Player of the Year, which speaks to the impact his health ordeal had. Hamlin actually received the most first-place votes but had fewer points than winner Joe Flacco.
The football world took a keen interest in Hamlin’s comeback. He leads the Chasing M’s Foundation, which is dedicated to the health and safety of young people through sports. He’s hoping kids across the country can have access to the life-saving care he did.
‘People donated to show support and show love. They seen that I was a young kid who cared about other people and I cared about giving back,’ Hamlin said in February. ‘Everyone had a hand in wanting to give me the ability to be able to do that on a bigger scale.’
