The Buffalo Bills trainer who gave CPR to Damar Hamlin after he collapsed mid-game from a cardiac arrest has received a vote for NFL’s Most Valuable Player – while the stricken star recovers at home.
Denny Kellington, 44, was given the fifth-place vote by ESPN host Suzy Holber, who said the vote was a ‘symbolic gesture’ representing ‘everyone’, according to the Associated Press. She added: ‘They rarely get the recognition they deserve’.
He has been credited with saving Hamlin’s life after he suffered a cardiac arrest during the game on January 2.
The Buffalo Bills safety landed a hit on the Cincinnati Bengals’ receiver Tee Higgins. He got up briefly but then fell to the ground, where he lay motionless.
Buffalo Bills’ assistant athletic coach Denny Kellington has received a vote for NFL’s Most Valuable Player
Damar Hamlin collapsed after landing a hit on the Cincinnati Bengals’ receiver Tee Higgins on January 2
Medical staff sprung into action to save the 24-year-old’s life, including assistant athletic coach Kellington
Medical staff sprung into action to save the 24-year-old’s life, including assistant athletic coach Kellington, who has since been praised by medical staff and the Bills’ coaches.
The Valuable Player award is presented to the player deemed to have been ‘most valuable’ in that year’s regular season.
Kellington was credited by Bills head coach Sean McDermott for saving Hamlin’s life, calling him a ‘real leader’ and a ‘real hero’.
Hamlin is now recovering at home after being discharged from hospital. He was pictured with his teammates for the first time since his collapse on Saturday and tweeted his support for them on Sunday.
‘For an assistant to find himself in that position and needing to take the action that he did … is nothing short of amazing,’ McDermott told reporters.
‘You talk about a real leader, a real hero in saving Damar’s life. I admire his strength.’
Bills safety Damar Hamlin was released from hospital in Buffalo on Wednesday and is now recovering at home
Kellington has been with the Bills for five years after spending a decade as the head athletic trainer at Syracuse University
Kellington was given the fifth-place vote by ESPN host Suzy Holber (pictured), who said the vote was a ‘symbolic gesture’ representing ‘everyone’
A fan holds a sign with Buffalo Bills trainer Denny Kellington during practices before an NFL game on January 8
Doctors treating Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Health Center, where he was taken after his collapse, said Kellington’s rapid response was crucial to his survival.
‘The Bills training staff who was with him immediately recognized that this was not a run of the mill injury and that they had a significant event on their hands and immediately responded,’ Dr. Timothy Pritts told reporters.
‘This went as well as something like this can go under very challenging circumstances. They did a fantastic job, which is why we are here today.’
Kellington has been with the Bills for five years after spending a decade as the head athletic trainer at Syracuse University. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State.
Meanwhile Hamlin is now recovering at home after being released from hospital in Buffalo on Wednesday.
On Sunday Hamlin tweeted his support for his teammates during the Bills’ first-round playoff win over the Miami Dolphins, as he continues to recover at home
The Bills revealed the good news about Hamlin on their Twitter profile on Wednesday morning
Bills LB Matt Milano shared a pic of teammate Damar Hamlin back with the team on Saturday
The Bills revealed the good news in a statement on social media Wednesday morning, saying: ‘Damar Hamlin has been discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, a Kaleida Health facility in Buffalo, NY.
‘Hamlin was admitted on Monday and went through a comprehensive medical evaluation as well as a series of cardiac, neurological and vascular testing on Tuesday.
‘Jamie Nadler, MD, critical care physician and Chief Quality Officer at Kaleida Health and the care team lead for Hamlin said, “We have completed a series of tests and evaluations, and in consultation with the team physicians, we are confident that Damar can be safely discharged to continue his rehabilitation at home and with the Bills.’
On Saturday he met his teammates for the first time since his collapse – with linebacker Matt Milano posting an image of the safety on his Instagram story.
On Sunday he tweeted his support for his teammates during the Bills’ first-round playoff win over the Miami Dolphins, as he continues to recover at home.
He posted on Twitter: ‘My heart is with my guys as they compete today.
‘Nothing I want more than to be out there with them! LFG #Bills Mafia’
To give back to the hospital that saved his life, Hamlin launched a series of t-shirts with proceeds going back to the UC Medical Center.
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