08 January 2023 , 18:17
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Damar Hamlin posted a message of support to the Buffalo Bills just days after his cardiac arrest on Monday.
Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest in traumatic scenes during the Bills' clash with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. Hamlin collapsed to the turf midway through the first quarter after he tackled receiver Tee Higgins and he needed to be revived on the field.
The 24-year-old was rushed to the University of Cincinnati hospital while the match was suspended. 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 Saturday, Hamlin made his first social media post since the cardiac arrest and he followed that up with a sign of encouragement for his 12-3 Bills as they clash with the New England Patriots in the final match of the regular season. Along with an image of Hamlin in bed wearing a t-shirt supporting his road to recovery, he wrote: "GAMETIME!!! @BuffaloBills" - along with a blue heart.
The Bills paid the perfect tribute to the watching Hamlin as Buffalo star Nyheim Hines scored on the very first play of the game, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Hamlin was clearly in awe as he tweeted: "OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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The fairytale start felt like fate following the incredibly emotional week experienced by the Bills and the wider NFL. When asked about conversing with Hamlin for the first time since his cardiac arrest, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said: “Probably won't be able to do it justice, honestly, with words.
Damar Hamlin is watching the Buffalo Bills face the New England Patriots from his hospital bed (Greg M Cooper/AP/REX/Shutterstock)“Amazing. Touching. To see Damar through my own eyes is something I've been looking forward to.”
After the initial event on Monday, positivity has spread around the NFL as news of Hamlin’s remarkable progress became clear. On Saturday night, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans players all took to their pre-game warm-ups donning black t-shirts that read ‘Love for Damar 3’ while an emotional video was played at both Allegiant Stadium and TIAA Bank Field.
The video will be played at each and every stadium as a showcase of solidarity with Hamlin, while the NFL also allowed teams to outline the ’3’ at each 30-yard line marker in the Bills’ iconic blue or red colours. Meanwhile, the Bills revealed they are set to wear special jersey patches displaying the no.3 - Hamlin’s jersey number - against the Patriots on Sunday.