Steelers, fans show support for Damar Hamlin before, during game vs. Browns
The four white “3” digits marking the 30-yard-lines on each side of the field were painted with subtle outlines of red and blue, but that wasn’t the only recognition for Damar Hamlin during Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium.
Hamlin, the former star at Pitt and Central Catholic, remains in a Cincinnati hospital after having cardiac arrest after making a routine tackle while playing for the Buffalo Bills during last Monday’s game at the Bengals. Hamlin’s condition has improved markedly throughout the week, but the NFL community continued to display signs of support. His hometown of Pittsburgh was no different.
Hamlin wears No. 3 for the Bills, and the NFL gave teams permission to paint the “3” digits on their yard markers in Bills colors.
During warm-ups, players for both teams wore “Love for Damar” long-sleeved T-shirts with a “3” on them. Many of the staff members and inactive players for both teams wore the shirts throughout the game while standing on the sidelines.
What appeared to be the entire rosters of both teams met at midfield about 20 minutes before kickoff. Gathering in a circle around the Steelers logo, players on both sides kneeled in prayer.
Before the national anthem was played pregame, public address announcer Larry Richert acknowledged Hamlin while a message was displayed on the scoreboard. Fans gave a warm ovation.
Some fans held hand-written signs and banners expressing prayers or other support for Hamlin, who over the past 48 hours had been making video calls to teammates and family members and posting on social media. Bills No. 3 jerseys were spotted among the Acrisure Stadium crowd Sunday.
Coach Mike Tomlin earlier this week said he had known Hamlin for more than a decade, and several veteran Steelers players had established a relationship with him from when Hamlin was at Pitt because the Steelers and Panthers share a South Side practice facility.
We now hold a moment of support and love for Damar Hamlin of the @BuffaloBills at Acrisure Stadium.#LoveForDamar pic.twitter.com/swwMhepfSn
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 8, 2023
Prayers up ????#LoveForDamar pic.twitter.com/tRULkd0NhJ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 8, 2023
#LoveForDamar pic.twitter.com/Fp5FpHyCSk
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 8, 2023
Browns/Steelers pregame huddle/prayer pic.twitter.com/iFc0nGwVSz
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) January 8, 2023
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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