According to multiple reports, as of Friday morning, 24-year-old Damar Hamlin is breathing on her own for the first time since she suffered a cardiac arrest during the game last Monday at night in Cincinnati. The NFL Network reported that Hamlin addressed the entire team Friday via FaceTime.
Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said Thursday that Hamlin had made “substantial” progress., though he remained in the intensive care unit, with his family by his side. Timothy Pritts and William Knight, of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, addressed the media in the doctors’ first statement, detailing Hamlin’s recovery and the path forward.
“We would like to share that there has been a substantial improvement in his condition over the last 24 hours,” said Dr. Pritts. “We had great concern for him after the injury and after the event on the field and he is making substantial progress. As of this morning, he is starting to wake up and it appears that his neurological condition and brain function is intact.”
Still, Pritts said Hamlin “remains seriously ill” and remains in the intensive care unit. His family remains by his side. Dr. Knight noted that Hamlin has been on a “long and difficult road. He has been quite ill and has improved remarkably.” “He is showing signs of recovery and improvement.”
Pritts noted that Hamlin woke up Wednesday night and asked in writing if the Bills won the game, which was called off. According to Pritts, the 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 has been cancelled.
Buffalo (12-3) returned to practice Thursday to prepare for the final Sunday of the regular season against the New England Patriots (8-8). Hamlin recorded 91 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 15 games (13 starts) during his second NFL season in 2022. The Bills selected him in the sixth round of Pitt in 2021.
