ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Doctors described Damar Hamlin’s neurological function as “excellent” Saturday and the Buffalo Bills safety continues to make progress in his recovery after he had to be resuscitated in the field during Monday’s game against Cincinnati.
Giving the daily update on Hamlin’s condition, the Bills said the player is still breathing on his own but remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Hamlin took a big step forward in his recovery Friday when he was taken off life support and showed that he has the ability to speak.
The 24-year-old’s verified Twitter account showed a message on Saturday afternoon saying that all the love you put into the world comes back three times over and he thanked everyone who has “reached out and prayed.” message that the response to his injury will make Hamlin stronger.The message ended with a heart emoji and the number 3.
The message said: “Putting love towards the world returns to you three times more… grateful to all who have communicated and prayed. This will make me stronger on my way to recovery, keep praying for me!”
The NFL will show its support for Hamlin in the games of Week 18, which begins Saturday, including a moment of tribute before the game, painting Hamlin’s number 3 at the 30-yard line and wearing warm-up jerseys with the phrase “Love for Damar 3”. The Bills will wear a patch on their jersey with the number “3.”
The 24-year-old also appeared briefly on a live video conference with his teammates on Friday, making various hand signals and saying: “I love you guys.”
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest Monday after what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first period of a game against the Bengals. The game was initially put on hold before it was officially canceled for the week.
The Bills intend to pay tribute to Hamlin, the rescuers and medical staff who treated the player in their final game of the season on Sunday at home to the New England Patriots.
The NFL will also show its support for Hamlin in the games of Week 18, which begins Saturday, including a moment of tribute before the game, painting Hamlin’s number 3 at the 30-yard line and wearing warm-up jerseys with the phrase “Love for Damar 3”. The Bills will wear a patch on their jersey with the number “3.”
On Saturday, the Steelers paid tribute to Hamlin, who is from Pittsburgh, by providing toys, books and school supplies to Kelly & Nina’s Daycare, where the player holds an annual toy drive. Fans, players and team owners have also donated to the Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which has exceeded $8.2 million as of Saturday afternoon.
