Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has made his first public statement since going into cardiac arrest during Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” he captioned a post on Instagram on Saturday. “The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out.”
Several pictures of Hamlin in his Bills uniform accompanied the post.
Hamlin added, “On a long road keep praying for me!”
Hamlin, who was sedated and placed on a ventilator, is now breathing on his own and is able to speak with his family. Physicians have said that the breathing tube was removed on Friday morning.
Despite being able to breathe independently, Hamlin is still considered to be in critical condition.
“Per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition,” the team said on Saturday. “He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent.”
Per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition.
He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 7, 2023
According to head coach Sean McDermott, Hamlin spoke to the team via FaceTime on Friday. “Love you boys,” he told his teammates.
Hamlin collapsed after tackling Tee Higgins during the “Monday Night Football” game in Cincinnati. He received CPR for more than nine minutes on the field before being taken to UC Medical Center in an ambulance.
The game was subsequently postponed, and the NFL announced it will not be made up.
Hamlin has received an outpouring of support after millions witnessed his injury play out on television. In addition to buying up his number three jersey, Hamlin’s charity foundation has received more than $8 million in donations.
