Buffalo Bills’ NFL star Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, his agent has confirmed.
It is the latest step in the 24-year-old’s remarkable recovery in the four days since going into cardiac arrest and being resuscitated on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin even joined the Bills’ team meeting on Friday morning via video conference, and told them “love you boys”.
“I probably won't be able to do it justice,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Friday, “But just to see Damar, number one, through my own eyes, it was something I was hoping to see and kind of something I needed to see ... and to see the players’ reaction, they stood up right away and started clapping for him and yelling some things.”
McDermott said he kept it a secret from the team before announcing he had “a treat in store” for them — putting Hamlin on the big screen in the meeting room.
“He's just an infectious young man with an infectious personality,” McDermott said.
Hamlin was still listed as in critical condition on Thursday in the intensive care unit of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Aside from being able to communicate by writing, Hamlin has also been able to grip people’s hands.
In a Friday statement, the team said Hamlin's “neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team”.
“So we know that it's not only that the lights are on, we know that he's 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.”
Hamlin's recovery continues to trend in a positive direction after his heart stopped while making what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first quarter of a game against the Bengals on Monday night. The second-year player spent his first two days in the hospital under sedation to allow his body to recover, and on a ventilator to assist his breathing.
The Bills were uplifted by the encouraging medical reports as they returned to practice Thursday in preparation to play a home game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The NFL announced plans to show support for Hamlin during all Week 18 games, including a pre-game moment of support, painting Hamlin’s No3 on the 30-yard line and pre-game shirts with “Love for Damar 3”. The Bills will also wear ‘3’ jersey patches.
