Damar Hamlin talks to Buffalo Bills team-mates as breathing tube is removed following 'substantial improvement', according to doctors
Damar Hamlin asked who won Monday's match between Cincinnati and Buffalo, when he woke up in hospital on Thursday; he spoke with Bills team-mates over Facetime on Friday, telling the team, "Love you boys", according to a statement from the team
Friday 6 January 2023 16:19, UK
Damar Hamlin asked who won Monday's match between the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills, when he woke up, as doctors issued an update on the condition of the player following his cardiac arrest during the match.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is talking to teammates after having his
breathing tube removed.
According to multiple reports Friday morning, Hamlin, 24, is breathing on his
own for the first time since going into cardiac arrest during Monday night's
game in Cincinnati. NFL Network reported Hamlin addressed the entire team
Friday via FaceTime.
Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said Thursday that
Hamlin had made "substantial" progress although he remained in the intensive
care unit, his family by his side.
Dr. Timothy Pritts and Dr. William Knight of the University of Cincinnati
Medical Center addressed the media in the first statement from doctors and
detailed Hamlin's recovery as well as the road ahead.
"We would like to share that there has been substantial improvement in his
condition over the past 24 hours," Dr. Timothy Pritts said. "We had
significant concern about him after the injury and after the event on the
field and he is making substantial progress. As of this morning, he is
beginning to awaken and it appears that his neurological conditional and
function is intact."
Still, Pritts said Hamlin "continues to be critically ill" and remains in the
intensive care unit. His family remains by his side.
Dr. William Knight noted that Hamlin has been on a "long and difficult road.
He has been fairly sick and made a remarkable improvement. He's demonstrating
signs of recovery and improvement."
Pritts noted that Hamlin woke up Wednesday night and asked via writing whether
the Bills won the game. The game was suspended.
Per Pritts, doctors responded to his question with the following: "The answer
is yes. Damar, you won the game of life."
The NFL announced Thursday that the Bills-Bengals game has been canceled.
Buffalo (12-3) returned to practice Thursday to prepare for Sunday's
regular-season finale against the visiting New England Patriots (8-8).
Hamlin recorded 91 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 15 games (13
starts) during his second NFL season in 2022. The Bills drafted him in the
sixth round out of Pitt in 2021.
Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins midway through the first quarter of Monday's game and underwent CPR for approximately 10 minutes before he was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Earlier on Thursday the Bills released a statement revealing Hamlin has shown "remarkable improvement" and, while during a press conference doctors at the medical centre said they "had significant concern" over Hamlin's condition, they added he "is making substantial progress".
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"As of this morning, he is awaking. We were happy to report he was neurologically intact. He continues to be critically ill and he continues to be in intensive care. He still has significant progress that he needs to make but this marks a significant turning point in his recovery," Dr Tim Pritts said.
"We were in the situation where we could let him wake up as his body healed. Last night he was able to emerge, follow commands and even ask who won the game. I can clarify he did not speak but he communicated in writing.
"He's unable to speak as he has a breathing tube in. When we answered Damar when he asked who won the game we said, 'Yes, you won. You won the game of life'."
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, his agent said Friday the latest step in his remarkable recovery in the four days since going into cardiac arrest and being resuscitated on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Agent Ira Turner was unable to provide any other details in a text sent Friday morning to The Associated Press. The development was first reported by The Athletic.
The Bills said Friday in a statement that Hamlin's neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team.
The 24-year-old Hamlin was still listed Thursday in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Aside from being able to communicate by writing, Hamlin was also been able to grip peoples hands.
So we know that its not only that the lights are on. We know that hes home. And it appears that all the cylinders are firing within his brain, which is greatly gratifying for all of us, Dr. Timothy Pritts said. He still has significant progress he needs to make, but this marks a really good turning point in his ongoing care.
Doctors added that it is too early to know whether Hamlin will return to football, saying that he can move his hands and feet.
They said the next goal is for Hamlin to breathe without needing a ventilator.
The Bills returned to practice on Thursday and in an earlier statement, the club said: "Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours," the statement said.
"While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress.
"We are grateful for the love and support we have received."
Bengals receiver Higgins was involved in the play prior to Hamlin suffering a cardiac arrest and said that he has spoken to Hamlin's mother.
"It's been hard, just because I had something to do with the play and whatnot," Higgins said on Thursday in his first comments since the incident.
"But everybody has been making me feel whole again. I talked to his mom and notice everything is OK. He's doing good." Higgins added Hamlin's mother told him that "she's thinking and praying for me."
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Hamlin opened his eyes on Wednesday night and has been able to grip the hands of those with him.
The Bills had stated earlier on Wednesday that Hamlin was showing signs of improvement but remained in critical condition in the ICU.
An incredible league-wide response has seen coaches and players pay tribute to the 24-year-old, whose toy drive GoFundMe page set up in 2020 as part of his Chasing M's Foundation has seen donations eclipse an initial target of $2,500 by reaching upwards of $7m.
"The outpouring of support for Damar across the nation has been amazing," said Hamlin's representation Agency 1 Sports on Thursday. "Thank you for the calls, messages and emails.
"Damar has made substantial improvement overnight. We are so thankful for all of the first responders, doctors and hospital staff and every one who has played a role in this process.
"Please continue to pray for Damar and we will provide updates as they are available."
Hamlin is in his second season in the NFL, after being taken in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bills. He spent five years playing college football at Pittsburgh, his hometown, appearing in 48 games for the Panthers.
He has started 14 games for the Bills this season in place of injured safety Micah Hyde, who suffered a neck injury in Week Two and has been on injured reserve since. Hamlin is tied for the second-most tackles on the team this year, with 91.
