And on Monday, he returned to the city... released from a Cincinnati intensive care unit, capping a remarkable recovery, just a week after collapsing mid-game.
Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center - where Hamlin was being treated after a cardiac arrest - said he traveled well by air and will continue to be monitored by a care team in Buffalo.
On Monday, Hamlin tweeted: "Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart."
"The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more."
The 24-year-old collapsed during a game last Monday in Cincinnati moments after making a tackle and then had to have his heartbeat restored on the field while stunned players from both teams cried, prayed and hugged.
Hamlin made remarkable strides in his recovery. He woke up two days later, had his breathing tube removed on Friday and then watched the Bills regular-season finale from his bed on Sunday.
Moments of support for Hamlin took place at various stadiums on Sunday. At Highmark Stadium a sign read: "Love for Damar" with the number 3. The Bills wore "3" patches on their uniforms too, in honor of Hamlin's jersey number.
And the tailgate party before the game was full of the number 3.
BILLS FAN BOB DUNKIN: "It breaks my heart It breaks my heart what happened. But you know what? It's only up from here."
Hamlin said on Twitter that he is now at Buffalo General Medical Center where doctors and nurses have already made him feel at home.
