After a cardiac attack, Damar Hamlin was honored in the Buffalo Bills’ first game.
Damar Hamlin’s incredible comebackAfter that terrifying heart arrest on the football field, Buffalo Bills standout Damar Hamlin is improving and can now breathe on his own.Daniel Hamlin through Twitter
Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old player who had a cardiac arrest on the field just seven days prior, shared a fresh image of himself on social media showing himself in a hospital bed, using his hands to form a heart, while the Buffalo Bills took to the field on Sunday wearing T-shirts with his number.
At the Buffalo Bills’ home game at Highmark Stadium in the Orchard Park area, Hamlin’s teammates and the New England Patriots players paid tribute to him by donning shirts with Hamlin’s No. 3 and the words “Love for Damar” on them during their pregame warmups.
Along with holding posters wishing Hamlin a quick recovery and red hearts encircling the player’s number, supporters crammed the stadium. The Bills also honored the members of the team’s medical staff who helped save Hamlin’s life when he passed out on the turf at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium on January 2 during pregame festivities.
Hamlin came to Twitter on Sunday and said, “GameDay.. Nothing I Want More Than To Be Running Out That Tunnel With My Brothers,” along with a picture of himself from his hospital bed. God is using me differently now. Express your love to someone today!” A video of Hamlin and his teammates practicing at a prior game was included with the tweet.
A standing ovation was given to the injured athlete by players and supporters on both sidelines as soon as Hamlin’s face appeared on the jumbotron at Highmark Stadium. The Buffalo players rushed onto the field, screaming “Pray for Damar” with flags in hand, and they congregated at midfield to collectively flash the number three with their fingers.
Additionally, pregame ceremonies at NFL stadiums nationwide honored Hamlin.
After the game, in response to the question he asked himself when he regained consciousness in the hospital, Hamlin tweeted that he was going to start selling T-shirts with an image of his hands making a heart and the words, “Did we win?” According to Hamlin, the $33 t-shirt sale revenues from his website, DidWeWin.com, will benefit the trauma center at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and first responders.
Everybody won,” tweeted Hamlin. “I want to give back an ounce of the love y’all showed me.”
With his Instagram post on Saturday, Hamlin delivered his first remarks to the public following his potentially fatal injury.
“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” Hamlin said. “The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out.”
The tweet went on, “We pulled the world back together behind this.” Knowing me, you are aware that this will only strengthen me. Keep praying for me as I travel a long way.”
On Twitter on Saturday, Hamlin posted a second message expressing his gratitude for the tremendous support he has received over the previous week.
The affection is palpable and utterly genuine. “Everyone coming together in prayer, regardless of race or religion!” he tweeted.
After fainting on the field during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin was admitted to the hospital in severe condition. The Buffalo Bills announced on Friday that Hamlin was breathing on his own and conversing with family and medical professionals after spending three days on a ventilator.
Hamlin is “making continued progress” at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, but he “remains in critical condition,” according to a team update posted on Twitter on Saturday.
According to the medical staff, Hamlin “continues to breathe on his own” and “his neurological function is excellent.”
MORE: Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills is speaking to family and breathing on his own.
On Friday, Hamlin expressed his love for the Buffalo Bills’ players and team via FaceTime, writing, “Love you boys.”
Bills head coach Sean McDermott described the conversation to reporters on Friday, saying, “The thing that makes me laugh is — he did this to the guys right away — he flexed.” I suppose he flexed on them. All he does is a few standard things that people are familiar with.”
