Damar Hamlin asked the medical team who won the match between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals after he woke following his cardiac arrest on Monday night.
The crucial game between the Bills and Bengals was suspended amid a chilling scene following the injury of Buffalo safety Hamlin. Midway through the first half, the 24-year-old collapsed after making a tackle and had to be revived on the field before he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati hospital.
Hamlin was placed into an artificial coma due to damage to his heart and his family reported that he also suffered from some damage to his lungs. Following his collapse, there has been an outpour of support for Hamlin and his family.
University of Cincinnati Health physicians Dr. Timothy Pritts and Dr. William Knight announced Hamlin began to wake up this morning, while they confirmed the 24-year-old’s neurologically function is intact. While there has been ‘substantial improvement’ in the last 24 hours, Hamlin remains critically ill in the ICU.
“He's made substantial improvement,” said Dr. Pritts. “It appears his neurological condition and function is intact. We are very proud to report that. ... This marks a really good turning point in his ongoing care.
“We are in the situation that we have allowed him to gradually wake up as the body was healing. Last night he was able to emerge, follow commands and asked who won the game.”
When asked if Hamlin spoke to them, Dr. Pritts claimed the safety was using a pen and paper to communicate: “He did not speak, he is able to communicate in writing. He cannot speak yet as he has a breathing tube in as he remains on a ventilation.
“When he asked if they won, we answered yes, Damar, you have won the game of life.
“We have discussed with him what happened. He is not at the point where he can have a conversation, but he can nod and shake his head for yes and no's. We have talked to him about all the support given to him and his family. His mum and dad have talked to him.
“We want to see him to continue to breathe on his own. That is the next big milestone for him.”
Dr. Knight revealed it was remarkably less than a minute from the incident to the reaction from the bystander CPR. He added: “We cannot credit the Bills medical team enough. It's rare to have something this serious to happen and to recognise it so quickly.”
Dr. Knight was asked about the best case scenario, and he insisted: “The best is getting him back to 8pm on Monday evening. Neurologically intact, strong and to get him back to who he was before this all happened.
“It is entirely too early to have the conversation about his future career in football.”
When asked about his recovery and whether he will be able to walk and talk, the medical professionals said: “There are many steps still ahead of him. We want to see him continue to improve and breathe on his own so we can discharge him. His family have been besides his bed and we want to get him home. Then we can discuss potential future plans.
“We are focussed on the right now and he still has a little ways to go. It is entirely too early to project into the future.”
