Damar Hamlin Speaks To Teammates Days After Suffering Cardiac Arrest At Bills Game

Topline

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin spoke to teammates for the first time since he suffered a harrowing cardiac arrest on the field Monday night, according to the team, as the 24-year-old player makes “remarkable progress” but remains in a Cincinnati ICU.

Key Facts

Hamlin’s breathing tube, which had been in place for three days, was removed overnight, the Bills announced in a statement Friday morning, allowing Hamlin to speak to his family for the first time since he went into cardiac arrest.

Hamlin was also able to address his teammates via Facetime from a Cincinnati ICU, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, telling them: “Love you boys.”

In a press conference on Thursday, doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said Hamlin had been communicating with medical personnel in writing only, at one point asking if the Bills won the game—doctors reportedly responded: “You won the game of life.”

Key Background

The NFL announced late Thursday night the Bills game against the Bengals would not be made up and that the playoffs, which were scheduled to begin next week, would be delayed by one week, after Hamlin’s cardiac arrest sent shockwaves through the league. Hamlin collapsed on the field seconds after making what appeared to be a routine tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, and required CPR for several minutes as well as a defibrillator to restore his pulse. University of Cincinnati doctors said on Thursday that Hamlin regained movement in his hands and feet, and that the next step is for him to be able to breathe on his own.

Tangent

In a statement on Friday, the NFL announced the team’s 32 teams will be able to honor Hamlin in their week 18 games, starting Saturday, by painting Hamlin’s number “3” on the field, allowing players to wear a patch on their jerseys “Love for Damar 3” shirts in their pre-game warm-ups, and by honoring Hamlin and first responders before the games.

Crucial Quote

Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters: “It’s amazing to know the impact that this has had on so many people and for now Damar to be awake and his mom to be able to share that with him is incredible.”

Further Reading

NFL Cancels Bills Game After Damar Hamlin Suffers Cardiac Arrest (Forbes)

Damar Hamlin Resuscitated After Collapsing At Bills Game—Here’s What We Know (Forbes)

What Is Commotio Cordis? It Might Have Caused Damar Hamlin’s Collapse And Afflicts Young Athletes At Greater Numbers (Forbes)