Pitt S Damar Hamlin Throws First Pitch At Pirates Game
PITTSBURGH Over the past year, former Pitt Panthers safety Damar Hamlin has transformed from a local star into a national icon as he went through an inspirational recovery from a terrifying bout of cardiac arrest suffered during the Bill-Bengals game on Monday Night Football in January.
But the former Pitt star Hamlin, who is now fully recovered and even practicing with the Buffalo Bills during this past month’s OTAs, is staying in touch with his roots. With the team on a break before training camp, Hamlin returned home t throw out the first pitch at PNC Park prior to the Pirates-Padres game this week.
He swapped jerseys with fellow Pittsburgh native and Pirates reliever David Bednar prior to delivering a strike in front of a crowd of 16,500. It's his first public appearance in Pittsburgh since last month when he took control of playcalling for the Pitt defense during the football spring game in April.
The Pirates won 9-4 behind home runs from Nick Gonzalez, Jack Suwinksi and a grand slam from Carlos Santana.
Hamlin is set for another big year with the Bills. He stepped into a starting role last season after injuries thinned out the secondary and he thrived, playing solid football for the Super Bowl contenders up until his injury.
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