Bills assistant athletic trainer credited for helping Damar Hamlin

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Bills assistant athletic trainer gaining recognition for helping Damar Hamlin

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/5/23

Damar Hamlin has been on the minds of thousands, if not millions from Buffalo, New York, and beyond this week. Now, one of the people responsible for saving Hamlin's life is starting to gain recognition for his heroics.

One hero who should be recognized here: Last night, I was told the work of Bills assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington in administering CPR to Damar Hamlin on Monday was absolutely vital.

The speed and skill with which he and others reacted = A huge difference-maker.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 5, 2023

Denny Kellington let’s praise this name and person for reviving Our Brother Damar on the field. Denny gave CPR and chest compressions to get his Heart Back Beating #DennyKellington And also thank you to all the doctors and Medical professionals that have helped and assisted ❤️❤️3
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 5, 2023

Syracuse University's former head football trainer also received shoutouts from Bills tackle Rodger Saffold and NFL Network's Mike Giardi, among others.

Man this guy was incredible on the field Monday! Please recognize him! https://t.co/bYrJZRQaxY
— Rodger Saffold (@Rodger_Saffold) January 5, 2023

A lot of medical personnel played a massive role in tending to Damar Hamlin. Denny Kellington is a name we should all know. The #Bills assistant athletic trainer was formerly the head football trainer at Syracuse University. He was one of the folks performing CPR Monday. https://t.co/gSeactbCWF
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 5, 2023

According to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) website, Kellington received a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and a master's degree from Ohio State University. He began his career as an athletic training intern with the Denver Broncos from 1999 to 2002.

Kellington then served as the assistant athletic trainer for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe during the 2002 campaign. He then worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Buckeyes from 2002 to 2004 and joined the Syracuse sports medicine staff in 2005.

Per cuse.com, Kellington was the Orange's head football trainer from 2011 to 2017. He has served as the Bills assistant athletic trainer since 2017.

Hamlin -- who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Bills' Week 17 "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals -- remains at UC Medical Center. Reports on Thursday morning regarding the safety's condition were positive, as the team tweeted that physicians said that he had shown "remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours."

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