The terminally ill Damar Hamlin was born to teenage parents – and her father was jailed for drug trafficking

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin credited his parents for his success before he was rushed to the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest following a horror collision on the field.

The 24-year-old remains in critical condition in intensive care after collapsing during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

His mother Nina, 41, was present at the game and accompanied her son in the ambulance as he was taken to the hospital.

Hamlin was born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania in 1998 when his mother was just 16 and his father Mario was just 17.

Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition in intensive care after collapsing during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night

His mother Nina, 41, was present at the game and accompanied her son in the ambulance as he was taken to the hospital

The NFL star had to spend almost four years without his father Mario, 42, who was jailed for three and a half years after being convicted of drug sales, to make ends meet

Together, the two started an office cleaning business, and Nina still runs a day care center in Pennsylvania.

A GoFundMe that Hamlin started while he was a student at the University of Pittsburgh — before he was drafted — has raised more than $4 million for a Toy Drive since the incident.

Hamlin has credited both of his parents for his success, with his mother being his strongest support system.

In a 2021 interview, he said: “I’m very close to my family. My mom, she was sixteen when she had me and I’m just trying to think about it when I was sixteen and I just couldn’t picture having a little boy.

“It was probably so stressful, but both of my parents had my kids, at sixteen and pretty much since then, they’ve put everything into me to get me where we are today.”

The 24-year-old has no children of his own yet but does have a younger brother, Damir, who was born in 2015. He also wants to be a football star like his big brother.

The 24-year-old has no children of his own yet but does have a younger brother, Damir, who was born in 2015. He also wants to be a football star like his big brother

His family issued a statement thanking the “dedicated” first responders who rushed to his aid following his collapse

He remained in close contact with his father throughout his incarceration and Mario called his son as often as he could to see how his football was going

He added that it was just the three of him at first, he and his parents, explaining that they taught him “hard work” and “life lessons”.

The NFL star had to spend nearly four years without his 42-year-old father, who was jailed for three and a half years after being convicted of drug sales, to make ends meet.

Hamlin also witnessed three of him being shot when he was a teenager. The murders are still unsolved.

After attending Catholic Central High School, Hamlin decided to play football at the University of Pittsburgh to be closer to home — and play five seasons from 2016-2020.

Damar Hamlin’s family have thanked the “dedicated first responders” who resuscitated the Buffalo Bills player after he collapsed on the field and suffered cardiac arrest

Hamlin has credited both of his parents for his success, with his mother being his strongest support system

The NFL star had to spend nearly four years without his 42-year-old father, who was jailed for three and a half years after being convicted of drug sales, to make ends meet

He remained in close contact with his father throughout his incarceration, and Mario called his son as often as he could to see how he was doing.

The Bills star said: “There were times I could have steered left or right but my parents were always there to tweak me and get me back on track.

“I have to give them credit, it really had nothing to do with me. All I had to do was just listen, and that’s the kind of kid I was.

“It was tough, it was a real adjustment, I really had to grow up and figure out my life on my own to have a little bit of no father figure in my life.

Hamlin was born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania in 1998 when his mother was just 16 and his father Mario was just 17

The star posted a tribute to his father on Instagram, including a photo of them together while he was in prison

A GoFundMe that Hamlin started while he was a student at the University of Pittsburgh — before he was drafted — has raised more than $4 million for a Toy Drive since the incident

“The good thing is that during that time I already had sensible goals and good morals in me.

“He was never out of my life but he wasn’t there physically and that was different – it’s a different ball game being over the phone than being in person.

“But just me, who I was and what was already being instilled in me, I stayed focused.”

Buffalo Bills selected Hamlin in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 212th overall, and on May 21, 2021 agreed to a four-year rookie contract with the team.

Damar Hamlin pictured alongside his mother Nina before the Bills played the Browns in an NFL game on November 20 – Hamlin has spoken about how close he is to his family

Hamlin (No. 3) got up briefly after tackling Higgins before falling back in shocking scenes as the Buffalo Bills played Cincinnati Bengals

Hamlin collapsed moments later, falling backwards and lying motionless on the floor

He was promoted to one of the starting safeties for the Bills after Micha Hyde suffered a neck injury.

The star posted a tribute to his father on Instagram, including a photo of them together while he was in prison.

He said: “We’ve weathered every storm from Hell and back as a family. I am not ashamed of our history because it made us who we are.

‘Happy Father’s Day pops. You taught me a lot in life, but something that will always stay in my mind is making sacrifices for the people you love. Whatever it takes for the family.’