Damar Hamlin Is Awake, Speaks First Words to Teammates After Cardiac Arrest: Team

Buffalo Bills players huddle and pray after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 collapsed on the field after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 2, 2023. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, the team said Friday—the latest step in his remarkable recovery in the four days since going into cardiac arrest and being resuscitated on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar’s breathing tube was removed overnight,” said the team in an update. “He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team.”

The Bills added on Twitter that Hamlin even joined the Friday morning team meeting by FaceTime, and told them “love you boys.”

Audio Released

Newly revealed audio showed that medical personnel could be heard frantically calling for people to help after Hamlin collapsed during Monday night’s game.

Hamlin, 24, collapsed on the field moments after he tackled Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins on “Monday Night Football” in Cincinnati. Doctors immediately rushed to give him medical attention, which included CPR and a defibrillator, before he was taken way in an ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“I don’t like how he went down,” one person said on a radio channel recording, according to audio published by The New York Times and TMZ on Thursday. “We’re going to need everybody,” another person said. “All-call, all-call!”

One added, “Bring everybody! We need an airway doctor, everybody. Bring the cot with the medics.” Other audio that was published showed officials helping make requests over the airwaves to coordinate Hamlin’s trip to the hospital.

Game Canceled

The game between the Bills and the Bengals was suspended on Monday night following Hamlin’s collapse. In an update Thursday, the NFL said it would cancel the game because resuming it would result in postponing the playoffs, which are slated to start Jan. 14.

The Buffalo Bills gather while CPR is administered to Damar Hamlin at the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, 2023. (Field Level Level)

“This has been a very difficult week,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family from across the country. We are also incredibly appreciative of the amazing work of the medical personnel and commend each and every one of them.”

The league said that “making the decision prior to Week 18 is consistent with our competitive principles and enables all clubs to know the playoff possibilities prior to playing the final weekend of regular season games.”

“As we considered the football schedule, our principles have been to limit disruption across the league and minimize competitive inequities,” Goodell added. “I recognize that there is no perfect solution. The proposal we are asking the ownership to consider, however, addresses the most significant potential equitable issues created by the difficult, but necessary, decision not to play the game under these extraordinary circumstances.”

Other Details

Hamlin was still listed Thursday in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Aside from being able to communicate by writing, Hamlin was also been able to grip people’s hands.

“So we know that it’s not only that the lights are on. We know that he’s home. And it appears that all the cylinders are firing within his brain, which is greatly gratifying for all of us,” Dr. Timothy Pritts said Thursday. “He still has significant progress he needs to make, but this marks a really good turning point in his ongoing care.”

The sight of Hamlin collapsing, which was broadcast to a North American TV audience on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football,” has led to an outpouring of support from fans and players from across the league. Fans, team owners and players—including Tom Brady and Russell Wilson—have made donations to Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which had raised more than $7.8 million by Friday morning.

The Bills were uplifted by the encouraging medical reports as they returned to practice Thursday in preparation to play a home game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.