Damar Hamlin is making “remarkable progress” speaking to doctors and his family after his breathing tube was removed overnight, the Buffalo Bills have announced.
“His neurological function remains intact and he has been able to speak to his family and care team,” the National Football League team said Friday, citing an update from its doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The Bills also said on social media that the 24-year-old security guard appeared at their team meeting via FaceTime on Friday to speak with players and coaches.
“To see Damar with my own eyes, to see the reaction in the room with the players and the staff … they stood up and clapped for him,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott told the media on Friday. “It wasn’t a long interaction but he made a heart symbol and said ‘I love you guys’.”
Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest after a tackle in the first quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. His heartbeat had to be restored on the field in a scene that stunned teammates, coaches and millions of NFL fans.
Doctors said Thursday Hamlin was showing “signs of a good neurological recovery” but it was too early to comment on his long-term medical prognosis.
The frightening incident has prompted a huge outpouring of support from fans and the football community at large. Fundraising for an online toy drive Hamlin started in December 2020 has skyrocketed, raising more than $7.8 million as of Friday.
Thursday’s Doctors Update said Hamlin had written asking who won Monday’s game. Her response was “Damar, you’ve won – you’ve won the game of life,” said Dr. Timothy Pritts. “It’s not just that the lights are on — he’s home,” Pritts said. “It seems all cylinders are firing in his brain, which is very gratifying.”
An emotional Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, told reporters Thursday that he received word that his teammate was awake and thinking of her. “His dad said the first thing he’s going to ask when he wakes up is who won the game,” Allen said. “Sure enough he did.”
The NFL said Thursday the game between the Bills and Bengals, which was abandoned, would not be resumed or replayed as both teams are poised to make an impact in the playoffs. The Bills will play the New England Patriots when the regular season ends on Sunday, having already secured a playoff berth.
The Bills, Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs are still in contention for the AFC No. The NFL competitions committee outlined plans to potentially play the AFC championship game at a neutral venue if deemed necessary, with owners approving the plans on Friday.