Bills' Damar Hamlin Soaks in Pittsburgh Homecoming: WATCH

Saturday's Buffalo Bills preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is a very special one for safety Damar Hamlin.

In January, the NFL world rallied around Hamlin after he went into cardiac arrest during the Bills' game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Now over seven months later, Hamlin has made a miraculous recovery and is able to return to football at full strength.

The reason why Saturday's game is so special is because it marks Hamlin's first game in his hometown of Pittsburgh since his incident. The Bills safety soaked in the moment before the game, interacting with both Buffalo and Pittsburgh fans in the stands and signing jerseys.

Love to see Damar Hamlin back in Pittsburgh 🫶

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/iLVjSkuGC3
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 19, 2023

During warmups, Hamlin also shared a moment with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. The Super Bowl-winning coach approached Hamlin while the safety was working out and the two shared a quick embrace.

All love from @CoachTomlin. 🫶#BUFvsPIT | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/JO46ccvTvA
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 19, 2023

According to Tomlin, he and Hamlin have known each other since the latter was just 12 years old. In the wake of Hamlin's injury, Tomlin shared details of the two's personal relationship while offering words of encouragement.

“Man, it’s a really personal thing with me, being a Pittsburgher and that young man being a Pittsburgher,” Tomlin said in January. “I’ve known that guy probably since he was about 12. I just have a lot of respect and love for him as a human being, his commitment to the pursuit of his goals and dreams of playing in the NFL.

"We played Buffalo each of the last two seasons, and we get to have a moment. It’s cool to not only appreciate these guys and where they are now, but to know them since they were younger people and watch their development, to watch them earn what they’ve been chasing is really a cool thing. He’s an example of that."

Even though he doesn't play for the Steelers, Hamlin represents Pittsburgh through and through. He grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area, and played five seasons with the Pitt Panthers in college. He has also done plenty of charity work for the area, even before his medical episode.

You can follow Jonathan Alfano on Twitter at @JonAlfano_News

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