Buffalo Bill safety Damar Hamlin has been discharged from hospital just one week after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field.
During the Bills’ crucial regular season contest against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Hamlin collapsed to the turf midway through the first quarter after he tackled receiver Tee Higgins. The 24-year-old had to be revived on the field amid worrying scenes before he was rushed to the University of Cincinnati hospital.
The match was quickly suspended with players clearly unable to continue while there was a tremendous outpouring of support for Hamlin and his family as news filtered through regarding the severity of his condition. On Thursday, physicians at UCMC revealed Hamlin awoke that morning while he spoke to his family, care team and Buffalo teammates on FaceTime on Friday.
On Monday, UCMC physicians confirmed Hamlin had been released from the hospital and is back in Buffalo. Dr. William Knight added: “I can confirm he is doing well and this is the beginning of the next stage of his recovery.”
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hamlin will now head to another hospital where he will continue to undergo tests and be monitored. Regardless, news of his recovery is truly incredible just seven days after he had to be revived on the turf against the Bengals.
Hamlin tweeted to confirm he had left the hospital, writing: “Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart. Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling.
“The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more. Bigger than football!”
Buffalo defeated the New England Patriots 35-23 on Sunday amid emotional scenes as the NFL honoured Hamlin with a number of tributes. All home teams played a special message before kickoff in a show of solidarity for the safety. The NFL also allowed teams to outline the ’3’ at each 30-yard line marker in the Bills’ iconic blue or red colours, while, all players donned black Nike t-shirts that displayed the message: “Love for Damar 3.”
Meanwhile, the Bills wore special jersey patches displaying the no.3 - Hamlin’s jersey number - when they faced the Patriots on Sunday. The jerseys clearly paid off, as Buffalo defeated New England as Nyheim Hines scored two spectacular kickoff return touchdowns to help the team secure the win.
Hamlin was watching and reacting on social media, tweeting a pic of him in his hospital bed before later posting his reaction to Hines' first touchdown. The 24-year-old simply wrote: "Omfg!!!!"
The Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday as the NFL playoffs get underway with Wild Card weekend.
