Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support in his first public statement since going into cardiac arrest mid-game Monday.
Hamlin, who was on the field during Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals when he collapsed and was unconscious in what became a terrifying medical episode, spoke out in an Instagram post Saturday in which he thanked those praying for his recovery.
DAMAR HAMLIN CALLED BILLS TEAMMATES DAYS AFTER CARDIAC ARREST: ‘REMARKABLE’ PROGRESS
“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” Hamlin wrote. “The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!”
The post comes one day after the Bills announced that the NFL safety was no longer on a breathing tube and was making “remarkable” progress.
“Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar’s breathing tube was removed overnight. He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team,” the team said in a tweet. The tweet also revealed that Hamlin joined a team meeting via video call earlier that day and told his teammates, “Love you boys.”
Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice after his collapse, once on the field and once at the hospital, his uncle told CNN on Tuesday. The NFL suspended the game in the hours that followed as Hamlin’s health status remained uncertain, eventually calling it off for the night and then canceling it days later.
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The NFL has also laid out its plans to maintain competitive fairness in the wake of the incident, as the game was pivotal for playoff seeding. One of the league’s proposed modifications would be for a neutral-site AFC Championship game, depending on the matchup.
