Damar Hamlin is recovering ‘well’, his marketing rep said Wednesday, two days after the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field due to cardiac arrest in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals .
“We remain optimistic,” Jordon Rooney said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. He added that he could not offer further details regarding Hamlin’s condition, at the request of those close to him.
The Bills said Wednesday that Hamlin remains hospitalized in critical condition, but said he showed encouraging signs Tuesday and overnight. The New York organization added that he should remain in intensive care until doctors can observe him and provide him with treatment.
Rooney added that Hamlin’s loved ones remain hopeful and have been amazed by the continued support people have had for the Bills player since he suffered a cardiac arrest. Hamlin was then resuscitated in the field, before being transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“They’re thrilled right now,” Rooney said. Damar is still their priority. However, as they always have, they still try to make a positive out of a difficult situation. He and his family will emerge much stronger from this experience. »
This update from Rooney comes after Hamlin’s uncle, Dorrian Glenn, told multiple media outlets on Tuesday night that his nephew was showing encouraging signs of recovery. In particular, he mentioned the fact that the doctors had reduced his oxygen supply from 100% to 50%.
“He’s still sedated,” Glenn told CNN. They just want him to have the best chance of recovering quickly. They believe that by sedating him, then his body will recover faster than if he were awake and he will avoid complications. »
Rooney, however, wanted to clarify a statement from Glenn, who claimed Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice. Rooney said that was “not entirely accurate,” without offering further details.
The horrifying scene in which Hamlin collapsed on the pitch, which aired on national television as part of ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ program, led to the match being suspended, and this one has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) are battling the Bills (12-3) and Bengals (11-4) for the AFC title.
The Bills, who returned to Buffalo in the wee hours Tuesday morning, are scheduled to play games and take part in a light workout on Wednesday. They are expected to return to regular practice on Thursday, ahead of their game next Sunday against the New England Patriots.