An exclusive footage from the show “Secret Celebrity Renovation” has the Buffalo Bills star saying that it is now his “turn to return the favor” to his grandma Portia.
NFL standout Damar Hamlin spent his whole childhood seeing his grandma Portia “working hard” and providing assistance for the community.
During the episode of Secret Celebrity Renovation that aired on Friday, a player for the Buffalo Bills who is 25 years old said, “It’s my turn to return the favor” as he renovated his grandmother’s house in Pittsburgh.
Hamlin travels back to his birthplace in Pennsylvania in an exclusive preview from the episode that was provided to PEOPLE. In the film, which can be seen above, Hamlin and Sabrina Soto, the interior designer for the program, go through old family pictures and other mementos from Hamlin’s youth.
The first step in the restoration process for the team is to clear out Portia’s closet, which was packed with mementos from Hamlin’s early days in football.
The artifacts include his jersey from the Pittsburgh Panthers as well as a poster that was autographed by all of his teammates. Between the years of 2016 and 2020, Hamlin was a player for the University of Pittsburgh.
When Soto discovers a school photo of the young athlete wearing an argyle green sweater, Hamlin replies, “I remember this cardigan like it was yesterday,” in response to the revelation.
Another picture displays a grin on Hamlin’s face when he was much younger. He says, “This was the first picture day when I started smiling,” adding that he used to cover his teeth in photographs. “This was the first picture day when I started smiling,” he reveals. “I don’t know why, but I was a very insecure youngin,” he recalls.
When Hamlin discovers a picture from the wedding ceremony of his parents, he reveals that “being at my mom and dad’s wedding” is one of his “favorite memories.”
A subsequent finding brought to the NFL star’s attention the fact that his father, Mario Hamlin, was the coach of his club at the time when he won his first Little League Championship.
Mario, now 42 years old, and his brother both participated in collegiate football. The Bills safety mentions the presence of both his father and his uncle in a team picture from the era, which is included in the episode of the CBS series that aired on Friday.
Hamlin mutters to himself as he contemplates the picture, “Football is in my genes.” “Football is always in my pockets.”
The reality show Secret Celebrity Renovation is now in its third season, and it provides celebrities with the chance to surprise one individual who played a significant part in their path to success with a house renovation. In addition to Hamlin, this season features Phil Keoghan from The Amazing Race, JB Smoove, an actor and comedian, and Max Thieriot, who is most known for his role in Fire Country.
In January of 2023, Hamlin made news when, after making a tackle in a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, he passed out and required CPR. This incident occurred during the game. Commotio cordis, as the medical professionals have determined, was the root cause of the disaster.
After being in serious condition for a period of time, Hamlin finally made a full recovery and was able to leave the hospital nine days later. He then shown his support for his teammates by standing on the sidelines during the NFL playoffs.
On January 2, 2023, Hamlin made news when, after making a tackle in a game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, he fell and required CPR. This event occurred during the game. After being in a severe state for a period of time, he eventually made a full recovery and was discharged from the hospital nine days later.
The Bills made the announcement in April that Hamlin had been given the all-clear to resume his football career. “Physically, I’m getting stronger,” he said in the interview with the AHA.
“God saw that the purpose I was created for is more than simply football. It’s a far broader issue than simply football,” he said. “I have always been aware of it. He gave me a purpose and something to stand for that is far larger than simply a game, and I’ve always had the sense that I was more than just an athlete and a football player.
On August 12, the native of Pennsylvania made his field debut for the Bills in their preseason triumph against the Indianapolis Colts, which ended with a score of 23-19.
Following the victory, Hamlin expressed to NFL.com that his return to play was “super fun” and a “great experience.” He went on to say that he saw his first preseason game since returning as “just another milestone and a step up to just getting back to myself as far as the football space.”
