John Petrishen: 'Gifted' Damar Hamlin is a 'nice human being,' says former school teammate

Muricas News  — 

Damar Hamlin’s former highschool and school teammate John Petrishen stated the Buffalo Payments security’s work ethic is matched by him being a “good individual.”

Petrishen, who performed with Hamlin at each Pittsburgh Central Catholic and the College of Pittsburgh, informed Muricas News that in addition to being “gifted” on the sphere, Hamlin is a “nice human being.”

“Individuals are likely to neglect that beneath the helmet and the jersey is a human being and Damar Hamlin is a superb human being,” Petrishen stated. “I performed with him for 3 years at highschool after which for 2 years in school.

A Pennsylvania native, Hamlin joined the Payments in 2021 as a sixth-round draft choose (212th total) from the College of Pittsburgh.

Previous to that, he gained a Pennsylvania state championship whereas at Pittsburgh Central Catholic highschool in 2015, main the staff to a 15-1 file as one of many best-rated defenders within the state.

“And we’re mates, teammates, that’s my brother,” added Petrishen. “He’s a terrific individual and is somebody you possibly can all the time rely on for doing issues the precise manner.

“He leads by instance, he’s the right position mannequin for younger children to look as much as, he provides again to his group; he checks all of the packing containers. He’s a terrific individual.”

After struggling a cardiac arrest mid-game on Monday, Hamlin stays sedated on a ventilator as docs work towards getting him to breathe on his personal, in keeping with an replace from the participant’s uncle.

The 24-year-old Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the sphere through the first quarter of Monday night time’s sport towards the Cincinnati Bengals, his staff stated, a second that left gamers weeping, praying and embracing as their teammate was taken away by ambulance.

Hamlin fell on his again simply moments after getting up from an open subject deal with of Cincinnati Bengals large receiver Tee Higgins. It stays unclear what triggered the cardiac arrest.

Inside 10 seconds of Hamlin’s collapse, Payments staff trainers have been treating him. An ambulance was on the sphere in lower than 5 minutes, footage exhibits, and he was given CPR, in keeping with an ESPN broadcast.

“Hamlin obtained speedy medical consideration on the sphere by staff and impartial medical workers and native paramedics. He was then transported to a neighborhood hospital the place he's in important situation,” the NFL stated in a press release.

Hamlin’s collapse left gamers distraught – in tears, kneeling with arms round each other earlier than returning to their locker rooms. The sport was suspended with practically six minutes left within the first quarter and later was formally postponed.

Petrishen defined that he was on a flight when Hamlin collapsed, saying he obtained off the aircraft to “a pair hundred texts” sending prayers to Hamlin and checking in on Petrishen.

The previous school linebacker remembers coming by the ranks with Hamlin, throughout which era the 2 shaped a bond.

He additionally recollects internet hosting Hamlin at Penn State throughout his time on the school when Hamlin was contemplating becoming a member of.

“I'd say he's somebody who leads by instance with class. He’s not probably the most vocal individual … individuals look to him to do issues the precise manner,” Petrishen outlined.

“He has a terrific work ethic, he’s a terrific character, he leads from the entrance of the pack and folks can look to him and know that what he’s doing, they will observe. He’s a superb chief. Like I stated, he leads by instance. You all the time know what you’re going to get from Damar.

“He exhibits up as the identical individual every single day, he all the time provides nice effort, in soccer and in life. He’s a light-weight within the room, he’s a superb individual to be round.”

At Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Hamlin’s jersey hangs within the weight room. And his highschool coach, Terry Totten, described Hamlin as a “quiet chief” to the Athletic.

“Any individual who was prepared to succeed in throughout any strains to be a revered member of the college group,” stated Totten.

In a press release, College of Pittsburgh head soccer coach Pat Narduzzi referred to as Hamlin “way over only a soccer participant.”

“He’s a loving son, brother and buddy. Damar is a hero to hundreds of Pittsburgh children,” Narduzzi stated.

“Damar, we love you. We're praying for you. Pittsburgh’s all the time had your again. And now it’s apparent the whole nation has your again, too.”

This season has been a breakthrough one for Hamlin, enjoying in each sport after accidents to the Payments’ defensive backfield. Based on ESPN, the protection has recorded 91 whole tackles, 1.5 sacks, one compelled fumble, and two passes defended in 15 video games because the Payments (12-3) high the AFC East standings.

Petrishen says he’s “proud” of the expansion Hamlin has proven through the years and the success it has introduced him.

“He’s grown a lot through the years and it’s superior to see him get his likelihood within the NFL this 12 months as a result of he’s labored actually arduous and he deserves it,” Petrishen stated.

“He’s clearly very gifted however he’s labored for that. He’s earned all the pieces he’s obtained and no one can ever take that away from him.

“So I’m actually happy with what he’s achieved this 12 months and all of the alternatives which have come his manner as a result of he deserves it.”