Story update: Damar Hamlin has opened his eyes and is responsive. See our original post below.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin “remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight,” the Bills said in a statement Wednesday.
“He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him,” the team said.
To show support for Hamlin, the Denver Broncos changed their profile pictures on social media to a No. 3 logo with the caption “Pray for Damar.” The Broncos also lit up Empower Field at Mile High in Bills colors.
For @HamlinIsland and the @BuffaloBills.
We are all behind you, #BillsMafia 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/xe37ZpFsd8
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 4, 2023
Before Wednesday’s practice, Denver interim coach Jerry Rosburg had this to say about the defensive back:
To Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills — [Damarri Mathis], your [University of Pittsburgh] teammate and our teammate, told us all about you. He told us about your high character and your friendliness. He told us about your incredible ability to lead people to a loving commitment to others [with] community service and raising other people up. That’s a remarkable thing. Today, Damar, we honor you. Today, we will strive to be better in the areas of our lives that you were so good at, and you will — with all due course and prayers — return to.
We will strive not to exalt ourselves, but raise others up, like you did. Especially those who are laid low, like you did. For now, while you are recovering, we are here to raise you up. We support you. Even those of us who do not know you, we offer our love. You are one of our football brothers.
To Damar’s family and teammates — we extend our hands to you to provide you with strength, comfort, and hope. Our prayers are there with you for your healing as well. We can only imagine what you are going through. To Damar and his family, we want you to know that the Broncos are with you.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Ciara, donated $10,000 to Hamlin’s toy drive and Wilson’s “Why Not You Foundation” donated an additional $3,333. The toy drive’s GoFundMe page has raised more than $6.5 million since Monday evening.
