Damar Hamlin and the Buffalo Bills put on pads for the first time at training camp on Monday. For the former Pitt star who captured the nation’s attention for days in January following his tragic medical scare in Cincinnati, it was a wave of emotions.

Hamlin is competing for one of the backup positions on the Bills’ safety depth chart, and absorbed his first hit.

“That first moment of contact, that was like, just letting me know, felt alive, man,” he said. “Felt like I’m here, you know? I’m overcoming a thousand and a thousand and thousand and one emotions. I’m processing them all at one time. While trying to focus and execute at the highest level in the world. It felt good, it was just that moment of ‘Alright, let’s just settle in and let’s just one play at a time, let’s just keep going.'”

Hamlin, 25, has gradually worked his way back to the field since a near-death experience during a Monday night game on Jan. 2. In early June, Hamlin participated fully in practice for the first time in the 6 months.

Hamlin made it a goal to resume his football career after he suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field.

Asked about his approach to live action, Hamlin said, “You can’t hit that field with no hesitation. … My strength is rooted in my faith and my faith is stronger than any fear.”