Inside The Panthers

Damar Hamlin Becomes Most-Searched Athlete of 2023

The entire world was compelled by the remarkable story of former Pitt Panthers safety Damar Hamlin.

Stephen Thompson

Damar Hamlin Becomes Most-Searched Athlete of 2023
Damar Hamlin Becomes Most-Searched Athlete of 2023 /
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PITTSBURGH -- A former Pitt Panthers safety was one of the most popular athletes of 2023, at least as far as Google searches go. 

According to Front Office Sports, former Pitt safety Damar Hamlin was Google's top trending athlete of 2023, outpacing international superstars like Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappé, Kansas City Cheifs' (and Taylor Swift's) Travis Kelce and controversial Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant. 

Hamlin, now a reserve defensive back for the Bills, earned his fame in tragic fashion, when he went into cardiac arrest on the field at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio during a Monday Night Football game against the Bengals. 

Prior to that, Hamlin had been a valuable backup for the injury-riddled Buffalo secondary and his remarkable recovery, then subsequent return to the football field and generous charitable initiatives have made him one of the most compelling figures in sports, not just football. 

Hamlin's role has changed this season, as he takes on more special teams snaps than defense, but the fact that he is even back playing football at all is a feat worthy of praise. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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