For the first time since his cardiac arrest almost a month ago, Damar Hamlin has addre sed the public directly.The Bills safety, who collapsed during Buffalo's game against Cincinnati on Jan. 2, took the opportunity to expre s his gratitude for all the support he has received in the wake of the incident.The video me sage was posted Saturday on his and the Bills' social media accounts. Camaron Cheeseman Jersey "Now that my brothers have closed out a strong winning season, as I continue to make so much progre s recovering, I think it's finally a good time to share a few things," he said directly into the camera.The Bills' season came to an end when they were blown out at home by the Bengals in the divisional round. Hamlin in Orchard Park, N.Y.MORE:"I think it was important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time as it was just a lot to proce s within my own self, mentally, physically, even spiritually," he said. "It's just been a lot Wes Schweitzer Jersey to proce s, but I can't tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support and everything that's just been coming in my way."What happened to me on 'Monday Night Football' I feel is a direct example of God using me as a ve sel to share my pa sion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world, and I'm able to give it back to kids and communities all acro s the world who need it the most, and that's always been my dream."Hamlin's Chasing Deshazor Everett Jersey M's Foundation received over $9 million in donations from fans around the world after his medical emergency in Cincinnati. The charity was established to "give back to the people who helped him get to where he is today and lift up the next generation of youth."MORE: Hamlin went on to thank a long list of medical staff members who helped care for him. He received CPR on the field for several minutes before being transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center via ambulance. After a week of recovery, he was transferred to the Kaleida Health facility in Buffalo, before being released from the hospital on Jan. Khaleke Hudson Jersey 11.After thanking his close family and friends, he then sent a me sage of appreciation directly to Bills fans."Ever since I became a Buffalo Bill, it's been nothing but genuine love and support, not even only for me but everyone's situation," he said. "No matter what it was, Bills Mafia jumped behind it and gave 110 percent support. . . . It really helped me stay encouraged to get through the toughest moments and the toughest times."He then thanked his Bills teammates and the NFL as a whole for their support."Just for putting team allegiances aside to root for one kid's life, and just the humanity of a player that's wearing Buffalo blue, you put humanity above DeAndre Carter Jersey team loyalty, you showed the world unity over division," he said. "I'm not surprised by it, but I'm deeply grateful and I'll be forever thankful and indebted to that."MORE: His me sage ended with a look to the future."This is just the beginning of the impact I wanted to have on the world, and with God's guidance I will continue to do wonderful and great things." he said. "I couldn't do this without all the support and the love, and I can't wait to continue to take you on this journey with me."