Damar Hamlin Is Awake, Doctors Say He Has “Shown Remarkable Improvement”
on Jan 05, 2023
There is now some hope in a story the entire country has been following.
During the Cincinnati Bengals game versus the Buffalo Bills on Monday night (Jan 2), Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a tackle and just moments later, collapsed. He received immediate medical attention by paramedics who administered CPR for several minutes. It’s been reported he was down “for at least 15 minutes.” He was then taken off the field in an ambulance and taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Members of both NFL teams surrounded Hamlin to give him privacy as medical teams were working on him. Bills players were visibly emotional, with many shedding tears and waiting to walk off the field until the ambulance drove away. The game was suspended and postponed.
Damar’s friend and marketing rep Jordon Rooney gave an update on Damar’s condition around 7:30pm local time that night.
“His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests.”
Update on Damar:
His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests.
We will provide updates as we have them.
— Jordon Rooney (@jordonr) January 3, 2023
Late Monday night, the Buffalo Bills revealed that Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field.
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
In the early hours of Wednesday morning (Jan. 4), ESPN’s Coley Harvey revealed he had spoken with Rooney, who provided an “promising” update on Hamlin.
“Per Jordon and Damar’s family, doctors overnight got promising readings that they had been hoping to see by this morning. Jordon couldn’t go into specifics, but progress appears to be made,” he wrote. “Damar is still sedated and in critical condition in the ICU.”
Damar is still sedated and in critical condition in the ICU.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 4, 2023
Harvey went on to say that Rooney clarified a statement that was provided by Hamlin’s uncle Tuesday night (Jan 3) that the NFL player had to be resuscitated twice. Hamlin was only resuscitated once at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Harvey also reported that he has spoken with the Hamlin family, who encourages people to stop criticizing Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was the one who tackled Hamlin right before he collapsed.
Will have much more on @espn throughout the morning/day. (We recorded an interview) But two other comments to look for from him: Damar’s father is among those calling for any criticisms of Bengals WR Tee Higgins (who was part of the play Damar was injured on) to STOP.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 4, 2023
Harvey also found out that Jeff Ruby’s Downtown Steakhouse catered meals for the Hamlin family.
Want to be sure I reiterate that although a small, hopeful step appears to have been made, Jordon did mention that Damar still has a long way to go in his recovery. But the family’s optimism remains high and steady as it’s been throughout all of this.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 4, 2023
Harvey reiterated, “Although a small, hopeful step appears to have been made, Jordon did mention that Damar still has a long way to go in his recovery. But the family’s optimism remains high and steady as it’s been throughout all of this.”
The Buffalo Bills released a statement, corroborating Rooney’s statements to Harvey.
Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with 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.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 4, 2023
In a new update on Thursday morning (Jan. 5), the Buffalo Bills tweeted that “Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours. 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.”
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 5, 2023
Just several minutes later, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Hamlin “opened his eyes last night and is responsive.”
#Bills S Damar Hamlin opened his eyes last night and is responsive. Truly incredible. One thing that's very clear from speaking to those close to him: They are endlessly appreciative of the medical care given to Hamlin on the field immediately, then over the last 72 hours.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2023
Hamlin’s teammate Kaiir Elam also provided an update, saying, “Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement. Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!”
Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement. Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!
— Kaiir Elam (@kaiirelam5) January 5, 2023
CNN reports that Hamlin’s agent told them the NFL star is awake and “has been holding hands with family in the hospital.”
What incredible news! We will keep Hamlin in our prayers during his recovery.
