Think the Pirates mean a lot to Damar Hamlin? The Buffalo Bills safety -- who grew up in McKees Rocks, Pa., just outside Pittsburgh -- has the team’s logo tattooed behind his left ear.

“I feel like the biggest staple to our city is that P, that Pirates logo,” Hamlin said Tuesday. “That’s everything to us.”

Hamlin, who stayed home to play college football at the University of Pittsburgh, will enter his third season with the Bills this fall. During a Jan. 2 game against the Bengals, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest while making a tackle and had to be rushed to the hospital. Hamlin has since been fully cleared to return to the NFL, and he is working out with the Bills as they prepare for their 2023 campaign.

On Tuesday, Hamlin got a chance to do something special in his hometown, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at PNC Park before Tuesday’s 9-4 win over the Padres.

Donning a customized gold City Connect Pirates jersey with “PGH” on the front, Hamlin made his toss to Pirates legend Andrew McCutchen.

“To be home and to be able to throw out the first pitch is like a kid’s dream,” he said. “I feel like a kid on Christmas here today.”

Prior to throwing out the first pitch, Hamlin spent some time with fellow Pittsburgh native David Bednar and swapped jerseys.