'Love you boys,' Buffalo Bills’ Hamlin tells teammates after breathing tube removed
The NFL safety “continues to progress remarkably in his recovery," the team says
UPDATE: (10:50 a.m. CT Jan. 6)
By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1/EMS1
CINCINNATI — Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin’s breathing tube was removed overnight, the team said Friday morning, four days after medical personnel responded to the 24-year-old’s in-game cardiac arrest in front of fans and fellow players.
Hamlin spoke to his teammates via FaceTime from a Cincinnati hospital, CNN reported.
“Love you boys,” Hamlin told his New York-based team Friday, the Bills said on Twitter.
When Hamlin appeared on screen, his teammates “stood up right away and clapped for him” and yelled to him, Head Coach Sean McDermott told reporters.
Hamlin “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 Friday morning, citing his doctors.
Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 6, 2023
What he said to the team: “Love you boys.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8dorrWNaxt
EARLIER:
By Rachel Engel
EMS1/FireRescue1
CINCINNATI — In the past 24 hours, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has shown “remarkable improvement” after going into cardiac arrest and collapsing on the field during Monday night’s game, the team said in a statement.
Hamlin’s doctors also relayed to the team that Hamlin appears to be “neurologically intact,” and his agent, Ronald Butler, told the Associated Press that the Bills safety was awake and gripping the hands of family members at his bedside, ESPN reported.
“Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours," the Buffalo Bills said. "While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress. We are grateful for the love and support we have received."
Read more about Damar Hamlin:
- Rapid Response: Paramedics get ROSC as world watches NFL player’s on-field treatment
- ‘Outstanding response’: EMS praised for quick treatment of downed Buffalo Bills player
- Fire, EMS agencies urge CPR training in wake of NFL player's mid-game medical emergency
- After player's cardiac arrest, NFL releases its emergency medical procedures
- EMS leaders, providers respond to Buffalo Bills player's collapse, on-field treatment
- NFL player collapses mid-game, receives CPR, ambulance rushed on field
