Damar Hamlin Makes First Public Statement Since On-Field Collapse

The Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin with his helmet off before playing the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., on Sept. 8, 2021. John McCoy/AP Photo

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin said Saturday that the love he has received “has been overwhelming” and asked people to keep praying for him.

“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” Hamlin wrote in a social media post. “I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger.”

“On a long road keep praying for me!” he added.

Hamlin had a horrifying on-field collapse on Monday after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals and had to have his heartbeat restored on the field before he was brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he remains.

Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin is examined during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati on Jan. 2, 2023. Joshua A. Bickel/AP Photo

The Buffalo Bills said that Hamlin continues to make progress but remains in critical condition.

“Per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition,” the NFL team said in a statement. “He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent.”

NFL Commissioner’s Message

The NFL has said it will show its support for Hamlin at games this weekend, including having the safety’s jersey No. 3 painted on each 30-yard-line.

Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, said on Saturday that the league will show its support for Hamlin.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference in Irving, Texas, on Dec. 12, 2018. LM Otero/AP Photo

“This weekend, players and coaches from all 32 teams will wear ‘Love for Damar 3’ T-shirts during pregame warmups in a league-wide show of support for Damar.”

“Seeing the entire NFL family—teams, players, coaches, and fans like you—band together was yet another reminder that football is family: human, loving and resilient,” Goodell said in the statement.

Hamlin Joined Team Meeting Remotely

Hamlin, 24, was thrust into a starting role with the Bills last September after an injury to a teammate. He spent his first two days after the Monday collapse under sedation and on a ventilator to assist his breathing.

He began to wake up on Wednesday and has also had his breathing tube removed.

The Buffalo Bills said that he joined a team meeting via FaceTime.

“Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches,” the team said in a social media post. “What he said to the team: ‘Love you boys.’”

Reuters contributed to this report.