Technical difficulties lead to awkward interaction between Damar Hamlin, Scott Van Pelt

ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin were not on the same page during SportsCenter. After the Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round Playoff game, Hamlin appeared on the show but could not hear Van Pelt talking to him.

“Bro, they taking too long,” Hamlin said. Scott Van Pelt tried to talk to Hamlin, but the Bills safety could not hear him due to technical difficulties.

Absolute GOLD on espn studio shows tonight: a mere minutes after the championship drive moment, Damar Hamlin and Sportscenter with SVP couldn’t get on same page, leading to some funny quips from Damar… @awfulannouncing pic.twitter.com/jwbOBfLjrM

— Austin Maida (@Maida904) January 20, 2025

“I don’t hear nobody bro. I’m about to dip.” Hamlin added.

While Hamlin didn’t know why he couldn’t hear anyone from ESPN, that didn’t concern him as he helped the Bills reach the AFC Championship game for the first time since the 2020 season. In the 27-25 victory over the Ravens on Sunday, Hamlin led the Bills with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.

This season, Hamlin returned to action full-time after suffering a cardiac arrest on Jan. 2, 2023. In 14 regular-season games, the 26-year-old tallied 89 tackles, five passes defended and two interceptions.

Damar Hamlin reveals goal for the 2024 season

“This year my goal was to just be present in every moment. I’ve walked this whole journey by taking it one day at a time, one step at a time,” Hamlin told Complex in October. “I don’t want to get too caught up in goals, statistics, stats, anything of the matter. I just want to be 110% present in each moment. I think that’s the way that I will be most appreciative and I’ll be happiest with myself by just doing that right there.

Hamlin also said, “This year has meant everything to me to have the trust of my teammates, my coaches, the organization to be able to be one of the 11 to help us get a win each and every Sunday. I don’t take that for granted at all. I walk with that every day just knowing how much adversity I have had to overcome.”

Hamlin was named starting safety for the Bills ahead of the season opener. Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Hamlin earned the spot because of his consistent work.

“I think it’s consistency and opportunity,” McDermott said at the time, per the Bills’ official website. “The opportunity that was there, he took advantage of it and was consistent. (He) built a certain level of rapport with T-Rapp, and that’s important as well at the safety position.”