Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own and able to speak after having his breathing tube removed, his agent said Friday.
These are the latest developments in his remarkable recovery in the four days since Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and on-field resuscitation during a National Football League game on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
On Twitter, Bills executives revealed that Hamlin even joined the team members’ morning meeting via FaceTime on Friday and told them “I love you guys.”
In a statement, the Bills said that “Hamlin’s neurological functions remain intact and he has been able to speak to his family and the medical team.”
Ira Turner, Hamlin’s agent, was unable to provide more information, in a text message to The Associated Press Friday morning. The developments were first reported by The Athletic.
Hamlin, 24, was still in critical condition Thursday in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. In addition to being able to communicate in writing, Hamlin was also able to grasp the hands of people around him.
According to doctor Timothy Pritts, Hamlin still has significant progress to make, but it seems that everything is fine in his brain, “which is very gratifying for all of us”, he also mentioned.
Hamlin’s recovery continues in a positive direction after his heart stopped making what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first quarter of the game against the Bengals.
Hamlin, who is in his second year in the NFL, spent his first two days in the hospital sedated to allow his body to recover, and on a ventilator to help him breathe.
The Bills were comforted by the encouraging medical reports as they returned to training Thursday in preparation for a home game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The scene of Hamlin’s collapse, televised to audiences across North America as part of ESPN’s traditional Monday night game, drew an outpouring of support from fans and players of the whole league.
Fans, team owners and players — including Tom Brady and Russell Wilson — donated to Hamlin’s “Chasing M’s” foundation, which raised more than $7.8 million as of Friday morning.