Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin has posted on social media for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest during an NFL match on Monday.
During the crucial clash between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin collapsed on the turf midway through the first quarter. The 24-year-old fell after making a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and had to be revived on the field before he was rushed to the University of Cincinnati hospital.
The match was understandably suspended as no players were in the right state to continue playing, while there was a tsunami of support for Hamlin and his family in the aftermath of the worrying scene. On Thursday, University of Cincinnati Health physicians Dr. Timothy Pritts and Dr. William Knight announced Hamlin began to wake up that morning, while they confirmed his neurological function was intact.
On Friday, the Bills revealed the physicians at UCMC confirmed Hamlin’s breathing tube had been removed overnight and the safety has reportedly spoken to his family, his care team and Bills teammates ahead of their final match of the regular season on Sunday. Buffalo can clinch the first seed in the AFC with a win over the New England Patriots.
Amid positive news surrounding his remarkable recovery progress, Hamlin has posted on social media for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football. He took to Instagram to write: “When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x's as much.
“The love has been overwhelming but I'm thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung (sic) 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!”
Ahead of the final week in the 2022 regular season, the NFL announced a number of gestures to support Hamlin as he begins his road to recovery, with all 32 teams encouraged to read a special message before kickoff as a unified show of solidarity for the Buffalo safety. Meanwhile, the Bills revealed they are set to wear special jersey patches displaying the no.3 - Hamlin’s jersey number - when they face the Patriots on Sunday.
The NFL have also allowed teams to outline the ’3’ at each 30-yard line marker in the Bills’ iconic blue or red colours. Finally, all players will be permitted to wear black Nike t-shirts that display the message: “Love for Damar 3.”
The Bills are set to wrap up their regular season campaign against the Patriots this week, with their AFC East rivals needing to win to clinch a spot in the postseason. It’s a huge match for Buffalo too, as the first seed in the AFC could be on the line - and the franchise will undoubtedly want to secure the win as the ultimate tribute to Hamlin.
