The Kennedy Lecture welcomes Damar Hamlin on March 17 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.  Hamlin defied the odds and returned 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 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.