Updated:
Jan 4, 2023
While playing for the Buffalo Bills in a Monday night US National Football League game in Cincinnati at prime time, the athlete had a cardiac arrest on the field.
The Bills provided a quick status update on his situation on Wednesday.
The Buffalo community, the NFL, and the sports world have all paid Hamlin tribute.
The Bills said in a post on Twitter that Hamlin showed “signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight”.
“He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him.”
After hitting Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, whose helmet seemed to strike Hamlin in the chest, Hamlin experienced a cardiac arrest during the game. Hamlin rose to his feet, then stumbled and hit his back.
His family and friends were shocked by his injury during the game, according to his uncle Dorrian Glenn, “I’ve never cried so hard in my life,” Mr Glenn told CNN. “Just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life. I mean, it’s just heartbreaking.”
Hamlin’s buddy and marketing agent, Jordan Rooney, then claimed that Mr. Glenn had misspoken when he informed CNN that the player needed to be revived twice—once on the field and again in the hospital. “Damar’s only been resuscitated once,” Mr. Rooney clarified.
The BBC requested an update on Hamlin’s health from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he is undergoing treatment, but has not yet heard back.
Mr. Glenn claimed that his nephew is shown heartening signs of recovery, such as physicians reducing the amount of oxygen he requires. Hamlin is still sedated and on a ventilator, he noted.
“They just want him to have a better chance of recovering better,” Mr Glenn said. “So, they feel that if he’s sedated, his body can heal a lot faster.”
In a separate interview with ESPN, Mr. Glenn stated that the family is appreciative of the numerous tributes that Hamlin has obtained since his injury, including those from players and fans. Some of these supporters even left flowers, candles, and signs with well wishes outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“It really means a difference for my family to see that, and I know it’ll mean a difference to Damar when he sees that.”
As they came for their game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, Buffalo Sabres players were sporting “Love for 3” shirts that included Hamlin’s jersey number.
In honour of Hamlin, Niagara Falls, which is close to Buffalo, was illuminated in blue that same evening.
Additionally, the Buffalo Bills modified their display image on Twitter to include the words “Pray for Demar” and the number three against a blue background. The other 31 teams in the league quickly followed suit.
At the age of 24, Hamlin played college football for the University of Pittsburgh before being selected by the NFL in 2021.
Pat Narduzzi, the head coach of Pittsburgh, tweeted a tribute to Hamlin in which he said that he is far more than just a football player.”
