Getty Image / Kevin Sabitus
It’s been nothing but good news since Damar Hamlin finally woke up in the hospital. He still has a journey ahead of him, but all signs are looking great.
On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills decided to make an awesome move and ignore a rather odd clause in Hamlin’s contract.
According to Ian Rapoport, Buffalo’s contract with Hamlin is a 4-year, $3.65 million deal. However, it “contains a standard split to pay him at a lower rate if he lands on injured reserve.” Well, the Bills placed Damar Hamlin on the IR. However, the team spoke with the NFLPA, and instead, they will “pay him in full.”
#Bills S Damar Hamlin’s 4-year, $3.64M contract contains a standard split to pay him at a lower rate if he lands on Injured Reserve. This week, he was placed on IR. However, sources say Buffalo has worked out an agreement with the NFL and NFLPA to pay him in full.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2023
This is an awesome move from the Bills, as Hamlin is going to receive his full contract. It makes sense, as the injury was incredibly scary and Damar Hamlin is still in the hospital. Even so, many are confused by the “standard split” within the contract. Especially considering, it allows a team to pay a player less money if that player gets hurt.
Injuries are outside of a player’s control for the most part. For that reason, NFL fans are buzzing about it.
W Bills
although, why have that clause to begin with in general?
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 8, 2023
According to Richard Sherman, this is an agent issue.
Or individual agents could negotiate this out of contracts. 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/5AH4o04OL7
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 8, 2023
Based on the comments, the NFLPA might look into making a change for the future.
💯
— David (@Super_Nerd00) January 8, 2023
We’ll see how it plays out. At the very least, it’s just cool to see the Bills ignore that contract clause and pay Damar Hamlin his full deal anyway.