NFL star Damar Hamlin thanks fans for their support after suffering a cardiac arrest midway through a game.
HamlinHis heart had to restart twice after him Sudden collapse and cardiac arrest against the Cincinnati Bengals last Monday night.
Paramedics rushed to the field and performed CPR on the Buffalo Bills player for about 10 minutes before he was taken from the stadium in an ambulance, leaving stunned players and spectators — including his parents — in shock. Watching silently from the side.
After being described as “critically ill” in hospital for several days, he began to communicate in writing and then slowly began to speak.
Thousands of messages of support were sent from the NFL game community and the wider world as fans gathered outside Cincinnati Medical Center.
The crowd at a college basketball game Saturday night at the former University of Pittsburgh in Hamlin wore his No. 3 jersey.Photo: Associated Press
The 24-year-old took to social media on Saturday to express his gratitude.
In a tweet, he thanked “everyone who reached out and prayed,” saying it will make him stronger on the road to recovery.
Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center described Hamlin’s neurological function as “excellent” on Saturday and said the player continued to breathe on his own but remained in critical condition.
Salute to Hamlin ahead of Saturday’s NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.Photo: Associated Press
Just 24 hours earlier, he had taken his first steps toward recovery when he came off the ventilator and spoke briefly.
The Bills plan to pay tribute to Hamlin and the first responders and medical staff who treated him late in the season during Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
A family in New York expressed their support for Hamlin.Image: Associated Press
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The NFL Steelers also honored the Pittsburgh-area player Saturday by delivering toys, books and instructional supplies to the children’s daycare center, where the players hold an annual toy event.
Fans, players and team owners have also donated to Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which had raised more than $8.2m (£7.7m) as of Saturday afternoon.