Following the on-field cardiac arrest of the 24-year-old, medical professionals confirmed on Thursday that Damar Hamlin, a player for the Buffalo Bills, is now conscious and in stable neurological condition at a hospital in Cincinnati. Additionally, it has brought immense relief and happiness to supporters across the country.
And his initial query upon waking up?
“Did we come out on top?” Hamlin quickly scribbled on a clipboard, according to Dr. Timothy Pritts, vice chair for clinical operations at UC Health.
Pritts said in a conference news on Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati, “You have won the game of life. Yes, Damar, you have won,” paraphrased one of his medical partners in response.
Pritts states that Hamlin has been using gestures such as shaking his head, nodding, or jotting down short messages to communicate with yes or no responses, while he continues to be on a ventilator.
Pritts stated, “We know that all his brain cylinders are firing within and he’s at home, but we only know that the lights are on, not anything else.”
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Hamlin has been treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center since collapsing in the first quarter of Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills, which was scheduled to take place at the packed stadium and be hosted by the Cincinnati Bengals.
On Thursday, his representative Ron Butler informed CNN that he has been clasping hands with his loved ones in the medical facility. Although specific information regarding the exact time of his awakening was not immediately provided, individuals connected to Hamlin, who had been sedated and placed on a breathing tube, disseminated the news on Thursday morning that he had regained consciousness.
Pritts stated, “Hamlin’s neurological function and condition appear to be intact, and he has shown significant improvement in the last 24 hours. However, he is still critically ill.”
Pritts expressed, “This is a truly excellent point that emphasizes the ongoing attention and progress. There are still many steps ahead of him. We would like to see him continue to improve from our perspective. He should be ready to be discharged from the hospital and be able to breathe independently.”
As stated by Dr. William Knight IV, a faculty member from the University of Cincinnati’s emergency medicine department, Hamlin was revived and had a breathing tube inserted while on the field. Dr. Allen Sills, the Chief Medical Officer of the NFL, mentioned on Wednesday that the cause of Hamlin’s heart failure is still unknown and the NFL will examine the potential factors that may have contributed to it.
The news from Thursday prompted tweets of joy from all over the league and beyond, including from President Joe Biden.
Yesterday, Damar, I informed you, like your dad and mom, that all of America is praying for you and your family. I, along with Jill, posted this great news on Twitter.
With all 32 teams prepared for their last scheduled regular-season matches, NFL players reflect on their upcoming return to the field, considering the emotional aspect as news about Hamlin’s situation emerges.
On Sunday, the Patriots, who were supposed to have a home game against the Bills, were gathered on Wednesday and planned to conduct their initial practice session of the week on Thursday. A source within the Bills organization informed CNN on Thursday that players were feeling motivated and sentimental after Mario Hamlin, Hamlin’s father, participated in a Zoom call with the team on Wednesday and shared news of his son’s improvement. The players were already grappling with the aftermath of a racially motivated mass shooting last year and the recent devastating snowstorm in their hometown.
The Bills are scheduled to host their initial press briefing on Thursday afternoon, following Hamlin’s injury, as announced by the team on Twitter.
On Thursday, Brian McCarthy, a spokesperson for the NFL, stated on CNN that there has been no determination made regarding the continuation of Monday’s game, which was stopped with the Bengals in the lead with a score of 7-3.
The Bengals (11-4) and the Bills (12-3), who have already clinched playoff spots, are currently jockeying for higher seeds in the American Football Conference. This game between the Bengals and the Bills has significant implications for the approaching NFL playoffs. If the game between the Bengals and Bills is postponed, it will be one of the games from this weekend with potential implications.
Since his hospitalization, Hamlin has received a nationwide outpouring of support from pro sports players and fans, including several athletes who have donned his No. 3 jersey while teams honored him at stadiums, displaying light and messages on the Jumbotron. Additionally, on Thursday morning, he donated more than $7 million, including his GoFundMe drive for his toy foundation’s drive.
Players have been talking about whether they’re ready to play
During the initial quarter of the game on Monday, Hamlin crumbled moments after a clash in which a Bengals wide receiver attempted to forcefully surpass Hamlin, who had moved in for a tackle, with roughly six minutes left. Completely still, Hamlin managed to bring down the receiver and got back up – however, he then toppled and laid down in just a matter of seconds.
His heart rate was revived on the field, as stated by the Bills, before he was transported from the stadium in an ambulance while shocked and visibly moved players and fans watched.
Information regarding the specific condition affecting Hamlin’s respiratory organs was not accessible, as revealed by his uncle Dorrian Glenn in an interview with CNN on Tuesday. In addition to being administered sedatives, Hamlin was placed on a ventilator and underwent a procedure where he was positioned on his stomach in order to alleviate some of the pressure on his lungs, which had suffered harm.
Before news spread Thursday that Hamlin was alert, some in the league had been openly assessing their readiness to play this weekend.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters Wednesday he “probably wants to play” Sunday’s Bengals-Ravens game, but there may be others who don’t.
Burrow stated, “If you were to survey the locker room, I’m sure there would be varied opinions on that.” “Personally, I believe it would be challenging to handle these different types of situations. I think everyone has their own way of dealing with it, and I believe you should try to get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
According to him, Thomas came to visit when Hamlin was under sedation and had a breathing tube inserted this week. Among the people who hurried to the Cincinnati hospital after Hamlin collapsed was Rodney Thomas II, a childhood friend of Hamlin and a safety player for the Indianapolis Colts.
“There is no question in my mind” Hamlin will make a full recovery, Thomas informed journalists on Wednesday.
Thomas expressed, “Regardless of his inability to perceive my words, it was inconsequential. I articulated my thoughts as necessary,” while affirming that he firmly grasped Hamlin’s hand, “I am certain he was able to perceive my words.”
Prior to the news spreading about Hamlin’s wakefulness, Thomas mentioned on “CNN This Morning” that I deeply care for him, and I support him wholeheartedly, and I will meet him shortly,” Essentially (I stated).
Communicated on a daily basis and had conversed on Monday prior to Hamlin’s collapse, Hamlin and Thomas, who developed a strong bond as high school comrades in Pittsburgh. Thomas expressed on Wednesday, “Encountering his comrade shortly after the on-field occurrence alleviated my anxiety significantly.” “It facilitated the journey back home considerably. I could return home with the assurance that he will be fine. We are all there for him. Everyone supports him,” Thomas further stated.
Each team needs to trust that everyone would make the best forward-moving decision, whether it’s playing or not, that’s why Thomas said on Sunday that the Texans, who are hosting the Colts, need to trust each other.
Thomas informed CNN on Thursday, “In order to regain our health, we are patiently awaiting Damar… At this moment, we are all unified as players… The entire world, in a broader sense.”
NFL medical chief talks commotio cordis theories
Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, which occurred when severe trauma to the chest disrupted the heart’s electrical charge, causing dangerous fibrillations and potentially leading to commotio cordis, was addressed by the NFL’s chief medical officer, Sills, on Wednesday.
Investigators will explore all possibilities, he emphasized, stressing that while it is possible, the crucial factor is to have the right amount of force at the exact moment in the cardiac cycle to deliver the precise type of blow on the right spot on the chest.
Sills mentioned that the NFL and its medical professionals conduct a thorough examination of the circumstances whenever a player is removed from the field. He added that they also assess the potential impact of protective gear.
According to Sills, there are instances where the medical staff cannot ascertain the cause of the issue.
During the meeting, among various tasks, teams determine the whereabouts of medical equipment and nearby medical facilities, and establish a hierarchy of authority in the event of an emergency, including cardiac arrest. Sills credited the “revolutionary reaction” of medical staff when Hamlin collapsed to a “one-hour gathering” that takes place among medical teams and NFL officials prior to each game.
Shock has weighed heavily on the Bills
The collapse of Hamlin’s is the latest tragedy in a string of recent tragedies that have struck the beloved football team and the Buffalo community, including a historic blizzard and a mass shooting, with at least 41 dead people in Erie County, New York.
On Tuesday night, a high-ranking official within CNN’s organization, Coy Wire, informed the Bills that they were sobbing due to the heaviness of the situation. This led to night-long meetings and tears throughout the following day.
The organization within, the source said, emotionally piled up a series of difficult blows for Buffalo. The team has tried to be a source of strength for the city, adding to it all the way through.