New York State In-depth

Damar Hamlin has shown “remarkable” improvement, say Buffalo Bills

Comment on this story

comment

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has shown “a remarkable improvement” in his recovery after collapsing and suffering cardiac arrest on the field during Monday night’s game in Cincinnati, the team said Thursday.

“According to the physicians attending to Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, over the past 24 hours, Damar has shown a remarkable improvement,” the Bills said in a statement. “While he is still critically ill, he has shown that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he’s making steady progress. We are grateful for the love and support we have received.”

Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam wrote on Twitter: “Our boy is better, awake and showing more signs of improvement. Thank you God. Please let the prayers come. All the best [No.] 3!”

The encouraging developments came less than three full days after Hamlin, 24, collapsed after a first-quarter goal during the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which was later postponed. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance that night and is in critical condition in intensive care. The Bills had previously said medical personnel were able to restore Hamlin’s heartbeat on the field.

Damar Hamlin’s collapse prompted a flashback for Chris Pronger of the Hockey Hall of Fame

Hamlin’s representatives at Agency 1 Sports said in a statement on Thursday: “The national support for Damar has been amazing. Thank you for the calls, messages and emails. Damar improved significantly overnight. We are so grateful to all first responders, doctors and hospital staff and everyone who played a role in this process.”

The Bills said Wednesday that Hamlin showed “signs of improvement” on Tuesday and overnight through Wednesday. Jordon Rooney, a marketing rep for Hamlin, said during a television interview with the NFL Network on Wednesday, “Things are moving in a positive direction right now. The doctors what they wanted to see, I think they saw it. I can’t speak specifically about that. But things are moving in the right direction.”

Our boy is better, awake and showing more signs of improvement. Thank you God. Please let the prayers come. All the best 3!

— Kaiir Elam (@kaiirelam5) January 5, 2023

Hamlin’s injury, which came in a seemingly routine on-field clash with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, prompted players across the league to reflect on the inherent dangers of their violent sport. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, said Wednesday it was “no exaggeration to say that the skilled and prompt response of all these talented maintainers at that moment averted a very tragic outcome.”

Troy Vincent, a top league manager and former NFL defenseman, said his “biggest fear came before me” as he coordinated the NFL’s response Monday night.

President Biden spoke to Hamlin’s parents on Wednesday.

NFL officials said they have focused on Hamlin’s health and the emotional well-being of Bills players, coaches and staff, as well as the mental health of others in the league. After gathering for team meetings and a tour of the practice field on Wednesday, the Bills were expected to hold a practice session Thursday and address media for perhaps the first time since Monday’s harrowing scene.

Buckner: Damar Hamlin is fighting for his life, and sport doesn’t feel like it

The Bills play the New England Patriots Sunday in Orchard Park, NY Vincent said Wednesday that his discussions with the Bills up to this point have not included a discussion of whether the team would play Sunday’s game as scheduled. Vincent and other NFL officials said Wednesday they would begin their deliberations on scheduling issues.

The NFL did not announce a scheduling decision Thursday morning, although it seemed increasingly unlikely that the Bills and Bengals would play the remainder of their game. If this game is not reinstated and declared non-contested, the NFL’s playoff schedule would not be affected. Postseason games would begin on January 14 as scheduled. Placement in the playoffs in the AFC would likely be determined by teams’ odds, with the Bills and Bengals playing one fewer regular-season game than other teams. Both have earned spots in the playoffs.

The NFL previously said it would not resume the postponed game this week and this weekend’s game schedule remained unchanged.

Comments are closed.