The NFL world received positive news Thursday when doctors revealed security damar hamlin he had made «substantial improvement» after going into cardiac arrest during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Officials of the the hospital provided an update in Hamlin on Thursday afternoon, saying the sophomore pro has been communicating through writing because he can’t speak yet.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
(Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Dr. Timothy Pritts, of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, said Hamlin was «beginning to wake up» Thursday morning with his condition and neurological function apparently intact.
DAMAR HAMLIN APPEARS TO BE ‘NEUROLOGICALLY INTACT’, TEAM SAYS; THE PARTNER ADDES THAT THE PLAYER IS AWAKE
A emotional josh allen spoke alongside head coach Sean McDermott Thursday afternoon following Buffalo’s first practice since the horrifying events of Monday night, thanking the coaching staff for saving Hamlin’s life.
«I want to say thank you, I know the coach mentioned it before, to our training staff for going out, not knowing what’s going on, but going through a checklist … saving his life,» an emotional Allen told reporters.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Being in that field you lose sleep. You hurt for your brother. Much sorrow shared.»
On Wednesday, Hamlin’s father, Mario Hamlin, addressed the entire Bills team in a Zoom call, telling players that Damar was «making progress».
«From a player’s perspective, hearing Mario talk to us, the words of encouragement he had for us,» Allen said of the call with Hamlin’s father. «And I had a chance to talk to him on Monday night, and all he said was ‘My son is going to be fine.'»
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Doctors reported that Hamlin inquired Thursday, in writing, about the outcome of Monday night’s game against the Bengals, something Allen said Hamlin’s father predicted during Wednesday’s call.
Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a missed Pittsburgh Steelers field goal during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 9, 2022 in Orchard Park, NY
(Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
«His dad said the first thing he’s going to ask when he wakes up is ‘Who won the game?'» Allen said. “And indeed, that is what he did. And, as teammates, you love hearing that answer. That the first thing he thought wasn’t ‘Poor me’. It was ‘How are my teammates? Did we win this game?’
DAMAR HAMLIN ASKED ABOUT BILLS’ GAME OUTCOME AFTER WAKEN UP, DOCTORS SAY
«And that’s powerful in itself, man. I don’t think people really understand the bond, the relationship and the brotherhood that you have as an NFL team. Especially this one here. The guys love each other. We really do. And to Damar to go through that and come out on the other side and think about his teammates… That’s Damar. That’s the way he is though.»
Buffalo Bills AJ Epenesa (57), Boogie Basham (55), Josh Allen (17) and Spencer Brown (79) react as safety Damar Hamlin (3) is treated on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2 2019. 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
(Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Allen told reporters that while the team isn’t sure when they’ll be able to speak with Damar, they’re «death to see him.»
«Tell him how much we love you as a team,» Allen said when asked what he would say to Hamlin when he gets to talk to Hamlin for the first time. «He’s a kid who walks around the facility that you never see in a bad mood. He’s always upbeat. He just wants to be out there and play soccer. We’re looking forward to that.»
The Bills are scheduled to play the New England Patriots Sunday.