Sherri Shepherd professed her love for Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin — only to find out he’s “too old” for her.
The “Sherri” host, 56, candidly revealed her crush on Hamlin, 25, while speaking at an American Heart Association fundraiser in New York City on Wednesday night as the athlete sat in the audience.
“Oh, look at Damar Hamlin. Look at you, look at you! Safety for the Buffalo Bills. I love you, Damar Hamlin!” Shepherd exclaimed at the Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection Concert at Jazz in Lincoln Center, according to an eyewitness.
Shepherd called Hamlin is a “walking miracle” after he survived a cardiac arrest on the football field during a January 2023 game.
“I love strong hearts because strong hearts is a strong back, and you [are] young, and that means your heart could go all night. I would love it!” she told him as the crowd laughed.
The former “The View” co-host acknowledged Hamlin’s mom was in the audience before assuring her that the NFL star has “got a ride home tonight, Mama — he all right.”
“Can you call me Mama, Damar?” Shepherd then jokingly asked.
Hamlin’s 8-year-old brother was also sitting next to him, so the TV host urged the little one to “put your hands over your ears because I’m not done with your brother yet.”
Shepherd proceeded to ask Hamlin how old he was — and after he relayed that he was 25, the twice-divorced star quipped, “25? 25! That’s too old for me, 25. I don’t know about that. 25, oh gosh, y’all.”
The Emmy winner continued flirting with the footballer by bringing him up onstage to bust out a few steamy dance moves together while she walked in the annual fashion show.
Shepherd strutted down the runway alongside several other stars, including Heather Dubrow, Francia Raisa, Ana Navarro and Susan Lucci.
Hamlin and his younger brother later took the stage to introduce Demi Lovato as the headlining performer.
Shepherd told Pvnew on the red carpet that the event is important to her because she is a Type 2 diabetic and lost her mom at a young age to health issues.
“I’ve got to keep myself together because I have a child who’s depending on his mama, so I’m really so glad to be here to shine a light on it, especially for women,” she told us, referencing her son, 18-year-old Jeffrey.
Shepherd also addressed her diagnosis onstage, telling the crowd it evolved from a “death sentence” to a new outlook on life.
“I love treating myself well, so it gives me clarity, it gives me confidence,” she shared, “and I know that I’ve got the strength to keep going.”
