Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who is working on his return to the field after going into cardiac arrest during a game in January, has been selected as the 2023 George Halas Award recipient.

The Professional Football Writers of America announced Monday the 55th recipient of the award, which is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes adversity to succeed.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is seen before a news conference on Capitol Hill about the AED Access Act, which aims to improve access to defibrillators in schools, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (Tom Williams/Getty Images)

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Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during a nationally televised game on January 2 after making a tackle on a Cincinnati Bengals receiver. He got up but collapsed and had to be revived on the field. The 24-year-old was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition and spent a week there before being flown to Buffalo for further treatment. He was released on January 11.

Damar Hamlin speaks to the crowd

FILE – Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills speaks in front of staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center during the NFL Honors awards ceremony prior to a Super Bowl 57 football game, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Phoenix. Hamlin, who made a full recovery after being revived following cardiac arrest on the field during a game in Cincinnati on January 2, was announced as the recipient of the 2023 George Halas Award on Monday, May 15, 2023. (Photo by David J. Phillip/AP)

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He said last month that his doctors concluded that a blow to his chest caused his heart to stop. The rare condition, called commotio cordis, occurs when a hard blow to the chest causes the heart to shudder and stop pumping blood efficiently, leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

Hamlin was cleared to return to play and participated in the Bills’ voluntary training program last month.

damar hamlin

FILE – Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) collides with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 2. 2023 in Cincinnati. Hamlin was injured on the play. (Joshua A. Bickel/AP Photo)

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Halas’ other finalists were Giants running back Saquon Barkley, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., and Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.