Damar Hamlin has made his first public statement on Saturday, after the Buffalo Bills safety suffered cardiac arrest during an NFL match.
The 24-year-old safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed during a January 2, 2023, in game against the Cincinnati Bengals after being hit in the chest during a tackle.
While Hamlin initially stood up after the play, he almost immediately fell over, and millions watched on live television as medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him.
The Bills said early the following morning in a statement that Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest, meaning his heart had stopped beating, after the hit, although his “heartbeat was restored on the field.”
The team added that Hamlin was “sedated and listed in critical condition” at a hospital in Cincinnati. Early Tuesday afternoon the Bills said Hamlin remained in critical condition. The game was postponed.
While the cause of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest is not yet known, some physicians say the most likely cause is an arrhythmia that occurred as a result of the blow to his chest, known as commotio cordis.
In his first public statement via Instagram, Hamlin said: “When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much…”
“The love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out.
“We brung the world back together behind this,” added Hamlin, who talked privately to family and teammates on Friday. “If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me! #3strong”
The 24-year-old also posted a screenshot from a video call on his Instagram story, with the caption “back working, back smiling”.
Hamlin’s main post has already been liked almost 750,000 times and received positive responses from Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Tee Higgins, the Cincinnati Bengals player who collided with Hamlin shortly before his on-field collapse.
Earlier on Saturday, the Bills posted a further update on Hamlin’s condition on Twitter.
“Per the physicians at UC [University of Cincinnati] Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery, yet remains in critical condition. He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent.”
Hamlin’s first public comments appeared online as the NFL resumed for the first time since the Bills-Bengals match was abandoned on Monday night. Players from the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders both wore tributes to Hamlin on T-shirts before their game at Allegiant Stadium.
Before kick-off in the AFC West contest, fans were asked to observe “a moment of support and love for Damar, and cheer for him and his family as they continue their fight.” Buffalo will also pay tributes to Hamlin before their AFC East game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
