![Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard walks the red carpet before the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 9, 2023. - Photo: twitter.com/nfl](https://media.citybeat.com/citybeat/imager/u/blog/14734771/culture_sports_cincinnatibengals_defensiveendsamhubbard_nflh.png?cb=1724366980)
Ken Riley's election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after more than 30 years of eligibility may have grabbed the headlines, but there were plenty of additional Cincinnati highlights during the NFL Honors program on Feb. 9.
That included Joe Burrow, the man who repeatedly has been dubbed a fashion icon, handsome face and thirst trap. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback shared the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Year award with Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. Burrow's on-field achievements are habitual at this point, so people now often concentrate on his style, with pop star and NFL Honors host Kelly Clarkson saying she thought Burrow was "a rapper" due to his notable fashion choices. And when the NFL attempted to show off Clarkson's gown? Bengals fans weren't having it.
Honestly, can you blame this person? Look at the man:I DONT CARE. JUST POST JOE BURROW.
— grace burrow 🪩 (@gracewhodey) February 10, 2023
But Burrow isn't the only Bengals hottie. His fashion savant and Louisiana State University buddy Ja'Marr Chase walked the NFL Honors red carpet in a grey suit, black sunglasses and white kicks accented with silver. The wide receiver looked regal as other pros repeatedly joined him for photos.
The Cincinnati son Sam Hubbard also went all out for the event. The Bengals' defensive end – who had that incredible 98-hard fumble-return touchdown and sent the team to the AFC divisional round – was nominated for the NFL Man of the Year award, which recognizes a player's community impact. Hubbard didn't get the award, but he won hearts by sporting a midnight-blue suit with black accents and a Sam Hubbard Foundation label on the interior lining.Uno iced out at the #NFLHonors @Real10jayy__ pic.twitter.com/rKQGFS4acU
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 10, 2023
Former Cincinnatians were there, too. In his speech upon winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner gave a shoutout to Cincinnati, where he had played cornerback as a UC Bearcat.Our Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee looking dapper as ever.@Sam_Hubbard_ | #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/mHYBI37KBm
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 10, 2023
And in an emotional moment, the NFL recognized the heroes who helped save Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's life after he collapsed from cardiac arrest during a game against the Bengals at Paycor Stadium. The awards stage was lined with medical staff from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and with trainers from both the Bengals' and the Bills' camps, all introduced as "Team Damar."DROY @iamSauceGardner was worth the hype in year one 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2023
📺: #NFLHonors on NBC pic.twitter.com/J2CRXkEima
The league shared a moving tribute to how the medical teams immediately went into action to help Hamlin.All the heroes who helped save @HamlinIsland's life 👏 @UC_Health
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2023
📺: #NFLHonors on NBC pic.twitter.com/CWMMISoc1F
And then Hamlin himself, who had spent weeks recovering at UC Med Center before returning to Buffalo, joined the medical professionals who had saved his life. To shouts of "Threeeeeee," his Bills jersey number, Hamlin acknowledged his new path.🫶
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2023
📺: #NFLHonors on NBC pic.twitter.com/Wyz6833c0s
"I have a long journey ahead – a journey full of unknowns and a journey full of milestones. But it's a lot easier to face your fears when you know your purpose," Hamlin said.
Hamlin then shared how a UC doctor changed his perspective during recovery."The journey will continue." ❤️💙
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2023
An incredible moment as @HamlinIsland takes the stage at #NFLHonors. pic.twitter.com/TgqTKSAVKS
"My third night awake in the hospital, I met an ICU doctor. His name was Yusef. He told me he had a similar experience," Hamlin recalled. "He showed me he was ok, and that meant so much to me. There was so much uncertainty at the time, and just him coming to me showing that I could live a normal life again, it meant so much to me in the moment."
"So I want to give a big thank you to him and a special thank you to everyone on this stage for everything they did for me. And thank you to everyone around the country and around the world who prayed for me and hoped for me," he added. "The journey will continue."
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