By Amy Tennery and Rory Carroll
Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin has been able to awaken and communicate with his medical team after the safety suffered cardiac arrest on the field during a Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati, his doctors told reporters on Thursday.
Two physicians caring for the 24-year-old said he was “demonstrating signs of good neurological recovery” and was able to communicate in writing.
He remains on a ventilator in the intensive care unit (ICU) at University of Cincinnati Medical Center to assist his breathing.
Hamlin collapsed on the field after making a tackle in the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals and had to have his heartbeat restored on the field.
The physicians said Hamlin had asked who won the game between the Bills and the Bengals. The response: “Damar, you won – you won the game of life,” doctor Timothy Pritts said.
That his first question was about the outcome of the game showed, “it’s not only the that lights are on – he’s home,” Pritts said.
Damar Hamlin continues to show improvement in an Ohio hospital.Credit:AP
“It’s been a long and difficult road for the last three days,” said fellow physician William Knight.
“He has been very sick and has made a fairly remarkable recovery,” Knight said, adding that Hamlin has shown good signs of neurological and individual organ recovery.
The next milestone, doctors said, was getting Hamlin breathing completely on his own.
They said it was too soon to say whether the hit he took on the field or a pre-existing condition caused Hamlin to go into cardiac arrest.
‘They did a fantastic job, which is why we’re here today.’
Doctor Timothy Pritts pays tribute to the Bills’ medical staff
Asked whether there was a possibility of him playing professional football again, Knight told reporters: “It’s entirely too early to have that conversation.”
Knight said Hamlin was still critically ill and remained in the ICU, adding that the focus was on getting him off the ventilator “and on the road to recovery.”
The doctors credited the Bills’ medical staff for quickly recognising that Hamlin had no pulse and promptly administering CPR.
“This went as well as something like this can go under very challenging circumstances and they did a fantastic job, which is why we’re here today,” Pritts said.
Candles outside Buffalo’s home ground in support of Damar Hamlin.Credit:AP
The game, which Cincinnati led 7-3, was later postponed.
A source with knowledge of the situation said Thursday that the game would not be resumed. The NFL said no decisions have been made and that they are continuing to explore all options.
The positive update is welcome news for the Bills, as they prepare for their final regular-season contest on Sunday, as well as for sports fans across the United States and around the world who have rallied behind the second-year safety.
The Bills trained on Friday morning (AEDT) and coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen spoke to media afterwards.
“Damar is and remains our No.1 concern,” an emotional McDermott said as he thanked the medical teams, the entire Bengals organisation and fans for their support. “Glory to God for keeping Damar in his hands.”
Allen paid tribute to his coach and said the Bills players had been inspired by the positive news of Hamlin’s recovery.
“We heard that this morning and there’s nothing that could have brought our day down,” Allen said, adding that Hamlin’s father had told him ‘my son is going to be all right’.
“ McDermott was the perfect man in the way he handled the situation. [You] can never prepare for that. The words he gave to us in the locker room and how he handled it with us.”
Fans, athletes, celebrities and politicians, including US President Joe Biden, have all offered Hamlin their prayers and support.
“Great news,” Biden tweeted in response to Hamlin’s medical update on Thursday.
“Damar, like I told your mom and dad yesterday, Jill and I – along with all of America – are praying for you and your family.”
Famed Niagara Falls – both the American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls – were illuminated in Bills blue as a show of support for Hamlin, the team and the nearby city of Buffalo.
The postponed game would have play-off implications for both the Bills and Bengals, who are battling with the Kansas City Chiefs for the top seed in the American Football Conference, which comes with a first-round play-off bye.
The Bills are scheduled to host the New England Patriots at 5am Monday (AEDT).
“It’s going to be unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” McDermott said of that match.
