Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin showed what doctors treating him call “significant improvement over the past 24 hours,” the team announced Thursday, three days after the player went into cardiac arrest and needed to be revived. on the field.
“Although he remains in critical condition, he has been shown to appear neurologically intact,” the Bills said in a statement. “His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress. »
Ronald Butler, Hamlin’s agent, told alAssociated press that the player was awake and was able to grab the hands of the family members who are at his bedside.
The developments came as the Bills were scheduled to return to practice Thursday, for the first time since Hamlin collapsed of cardiac arrest after tackling a Cincinnati Bengals player during the first quarter of Monday night’s game.
Hamlin, who is in his second year in the NFL, had been rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He has spent the last two days sedated.
During a conference call, Dr.r Timothy Pritts said the neurological signs of improvement began Wednesday night as Hamlin gradually woke up, with the rest of his body healing.
Hamlin was able to communicate in writing; he cannot speak due to the presence of a breathing tube in his throat.
“Last night he was able to emerge and follow orders and even asked who won the game,” said Dr.r Pritt.
The match was abandoned after Hamlin collapsed on the pitch.
“The answer is yes Damar, you have won the match of your life,” said Timothy Pritts.
According to the dr William Knight, the speed of medical intervention saved the player’s life.
He said a doctor attended Hamlin less than a minute after his collapse and found the safety had no pulse. Knight recalled that Hamlin needed to be revived on the field.
“It’s been a long, hard road over the past three days…He’s made remarkable progress,” Knight assessed.
Shocked
The good news came as the Bills prepare to play a home game against the New England Patriots on Sunday. The players are still in shock after seeing their teammate collapse on the pitch.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick called the update on Hamlin’s condition encouraging. “Life is more important than this sport. And I think it’s one of those humbling moments for all of us,” he said.
As for how his players are coping with preparations for Sunday’s match, he said they are navigating the moment.
“I think we’re all doing our best,” Belichick said. “All of these matters are beyond our control. I won’t worry about it. We try to control what we can control. […] And we do our best. »
With Kyle Hightower, Associated pressat Foxborough
