The Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin during practice last year.

Game Changer

In January, football player Damar Hamlin nearly died of cardiac arrest during a game. Instead of creating new safety measures, N.F.L. commissioner Roger Goodell is spinning the story as a triumph for the league

By Jack Sullivan

Last Monday night, Damar Hamlin, a 25-year-old National Football League safety, laced up his cleats with the words 3 IS BACK printed in red and black and took his seat on the sidelines for the Buffalo Bills’ game against the New York Jets. The appearance marked Hamlin’s return to the field after nearly dying mid-game in January following a blunt-force injury with a wide receiver.

Hamlin was on the field to be talked about, not participate. Before kickoff, his wide and guileless grin—seen so often over the past six months, everywhere from SportsCenter to Good Morning America, to “get well” clips from the president—was put on MetLife Stadium’s massive screens. N.F.L. commissioner Roger Goodell, who had presided over the aftermath of Hamlin’s health issues, watched from the stands.