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Damar Hamlin is continuing to make progress in his recovery following an on-field cardiac arrest during “Monday Night Football,” which led the NFL to suspend play. According to his team, the second-year Buffalo Bills safety has had his breathing tube removed and has spoken to them.
Hamlin collapsed just a few brief seconds after making a tackle on a Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and was struck in the chest during the collision. Officials on the field immediately waved over medical staff from the Bills sidelines and, according to reports, CPR was quickly begun, which some have credited with saving the life of the 24-year-old backup who became a starter this season.
A stretcher and ambulance came onto the field. He was then taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals,” the team said in a statement following the incident. “His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
Things have improved for Hamlin since.
“Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar’s breathing tube was removed overnight. He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery,” a Bills statement noted on Twitter Thursday. “His neurologic function remains intact, and he has been able to talk to his family and care team.”
In addition, the team noted that Hamlin joined with players during a meeting on Friday via FaceTime and shared three words: “Love you boys.”
Doctors at the hospital provided an update on Hamlin’s condition Thursday evening, Fox News reported.
“There has been substantial improvement in his condition in the last 24 hours. We had significant concern about him after the injury and after the event that happened on the field, but he is making substantial progress,” Dr. Timothy Pritts noted in a statement.
Head coach Sean McDermott spoke with the media on Friday, saying that his player appeared to be in good spirits when he spoke to the team via video.
“It was not a long interaction as you can imagine with his situation, but he made hand signals, hand gestures – the thing that makes me laugh is he did this to the guys right away, he flexed on them I guess,” McDermott said with a smile.
Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches.
What he said to the team: “Love you boys.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8dorrWNaxt
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 6, 2023
“He’s just got some staple things that they know him for and that he does. And he made the heart symbol probably more than anything, and then he gave them a thumbs up. And somewhere in the midst of that, and it was a little bit hard to hear, but he said, ‘I love you boys,’ and of course, I think that got the guys,” McDermott added.
Quarterback Josh Allen also talked with the media on Thursday, saying the team would be ready to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, mostly because it is something that Hamlin and his family would want them to do.
“You can’t not honor his request to go out there,” Allen said. “Today’s news was a lot of tears of joy, I’ll tell you that. To know that’s what he wants, that’s what his dad wants, I think guys are excited to get out there.”
The Associated Press is reporting that the NFL has decided to list the Bengals/Bills game as a “no contest” and not reschedule it, but that would have to be approved by the NFL Players Association, the league’s union.
Also Thursday, one of Hamlin’s teammates, left tackle Dion Dawkins, tweeted out support for one of the team’s trainers, who he credited with saving Hamlin’s life.
“Denny Kellington let’s praise this name and person for reviving Our Brother Damar on the field,” Dawkins said. “Denny gave CPR and chest compressions to get his Heart Back Beating #DennyKellington.
“And also thank you to all the doctors and Medical professionals that have helped and assisted,” he added.
Denny Kellington let’s praise this name and person for reviving Our Brother Damar on the field. Denny gave CPR and chest compressions to get his Heart Back Beating #DennyKellington And also thank you to all the doctors and Medical professionals that have helped and assisted ❤️❤️3
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 5, 2023
“WE Thank you,” he added in another tweet.
#DennyKellington WE Thank you. #DamarHamlinStrong ❤️3 pic.twitter.com/e5gTvDqTH0
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 5, 2023
Shortly after the Monday night incident, The New York Times reported:
Team officials said in a statement early Tuesday that Hamlin’s heart stopped after he was hit during a play in the first quarter. His heartbeat was restored by medical personnel on the field before Hamlin was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the Bills said, adding that Hamlin was undergoing “further testing and treatment” and had been sedated.
About nine minutes into the game on Monday night, Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins after a 13-yard catch. Higgins rammed into Hamlin at full speed, appearing to hit him in the head and chest area. Hamlin quickly stood up, took two steps and collapsed backward, and his body went limp.
