Damar Hamlin Lauds Bills CB Dane Jackson in Comeback Player of Year Effort: 'My Wingman!'

The odds-on favorite for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Award, Damar Hamlin partly credited teammate and "wingman" Dane Jackson for lighting his trail.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been more than happy to admit that he has gotten by with a little help from his friends. 

Hamlin is far and away the front-runner for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Award following his inspirational return from an on-field cardiac arrest episode that required resuscitation in Jan 2023. With de facto campaigning in full swing, Hamlin has continued to express his gratitude for those who accompanied him on the comeback trail.

That includes his collegiate and professional teammate Dane Jackson, his partner in Western New York's secondary depth. Hamlin lauded Jackson's prescience in an interview with Paulina Dedaj of Fox News.

Jamie Germano, USA TODAY SPORTS

"He can vouch for the tough process that it was," Hamlin said of Jackson's role in his comeback. "All the steps that it took getting back to playing football, offseason, season, training camp, putting the helmet on, all of that was a process and it's still a process, and I think it will forever be a process as long as I decide to continue to play." 

"But I'm built for it. Where we come from and the things that we overcame to even make it to the NFL, we're all testimonial stories."

Hamlin primarily partook on special teams this season but has maintained a strong relationship with Jackson, his fellow listed cornerback. The two previously collaborated at the University of Pittsburgh before joining the Bills as day three picks in consecutive drafts. 

The two are collaborating on a Super Bowl advertising campaign for paper towel brand Bounty, an endeavor Hamlin referred to as a "great blessing."

Comeback Player of the Year: Flacco Endorses Bills' Hamlin

"We go way back. We grew up together. We've got a lot of history together," Hamlin said of Jackson, with whom also shares a home state of Pennsylvania. "Seeing our journey, the trials and tribulations that we've been through to get to where we're at, and to be in this position to pair up with Bounty, he's been my wingman my entire life."

Time will tell if the two are destined for further professional affairs: Jackson, a seventh-round pick in 2020, is set to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career come spring. If he stays, Hamlin and Jackson will be working with a new supervisor, as the Bills announced they'd promote linebackers coach Bobby Babich to defensive coordinator on Tuesday. 

Hamlin is one of several Bills up for awards when the NFL hosts its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 8. His competitors for the Comeback Player of the Year Award are a quartet of quarterbacks, as he'll face Joe Flacco (Cleveland), Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay), Matthew Stafford (LA Rams), and Tua Tagovailoa (Miami).