Toward the end of the 2022 season, the league experienced one of the most frightening moments. On Jan. 2, 2023, Buffalo Bills safety tackled Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and immediately collapsed on the field.
Hamlin was attended to and had to be resuscitated after . The entire ordeal led to widespread support for the Bills safety, and he has since returned to action. Though Hamlin did not play a full season in 2023, many believed he deserved to win the coveted Comeback Player of the Year award.
Strangely, the award went to Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Many believed Hamlin should have been the rightful recipient of the award after coming back from nearly dying to return to the field, including Hamlin himself. The situation and controversial pick has now led to the Associated Press to clarify the parameters for the award.
Here’s the criteria we’ll ask voters to consider starting this season for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award: The spirit of the AP Comeback Player of the Year award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical...
, "Here's the criteria we'll ask voters to consider starting this season for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award: The spirit of the AP Comeback Player of the Year award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the.