BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Doctors caring for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin say he has shown "remarkable improvement" over the past 24 hours.
In a press conference Thursday afternoon, two doctors from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center say Hamlin is now demonstrating neurological recovery.
UC Medical physicians on Damar Hamlin “as of this morning he is beginning to awaken, and it appears his neurological condition and function is intact” @wkbw #Bills pic.twitter.com/7frWUlYmje
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) January 5, 2023
Doctors from UC Medical Center say Damar Hamlin is moving his hands and feet.
— Kristen Mirand (@kristen_mirand) January 5, 2023
They say there was only one round defibrillation and one round of CPR on the field. @WKBW
Doctors William Knight and Timothy Pritts even shared that Hamlin has been communicating via pen and paper. His first question— who won the game Monday night in Cincinnati.
"The answer is, 'Yes, Damar, you won. You won the game of life,'" Dr. Pritts said.
Damar Hamlin woke up and wrote
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) January 5, 2023
"Did we win?"
Doctors "You won at the game of life" @wkbw #Bills
"This marks a good turning point in his ongoing care," Dr. Pritts said.
There is still no definitive cause of Hamlin's cardiac arrest. The doctors say that as he continues to recover, they will run more tests.
"I mean what is the best? The best is getting him to the way he was at 8 o'clock on Monday evening," Dr. Knight said.
The doctors did commend the Buffalo Bills medical staff and noted that if it had taken a few extra minutes in terms of care on the field, the outcome could have been different.
"We can't say enough about the quick actions of the Bills training staff and the physicians who were on the field" - Timothy Pritts, MD
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 5, 2023
These people are heroes. #BillsMafia @WKBW pic.twitter.com/K4boeMfjnn
The Bills released a statement Thursday morning regarding Hamlin's recovery saying: "While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress."
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 5, 2023
Just before the Bills provided an update, Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam tweeted that Hamlin was awake:
"Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement. Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!"
The doctors also acknowledged the outpouring of support from fans in Buffalo and across the nation.
"It doesn't take long to look outside and see the lights. The blue and the red around the City of Cincinnati. The support from local restaurants. The support from the fans and just people who are concerned, so yes, it's been very powerful," Dr. Knight said.
Hamlin is becoming slowly aware of the support.
"We've relayed that there's gonna be a lot of toys that he can buy when he recovers from this and we're all looking forward to that," Dr. Pritts said.
Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement. Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!
— Kaiir Elam (@kaiirelam5) January 5, 2023
On Monday night Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. His heartbeat was restored and he was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment.
