Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is now breathing on his own and able to speak after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday (Jan. 2) and was rushed into intensive care.
The Buffalo Bills tweeted an updated on Hamlin Friday (Jan. 6) morning, stating that his breathing tube was removed and he even joined the team’s meeting on via FaceTime.
“Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar’s breathing tube was removed overnight. He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery,” the tweet read. “His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team.” In a follow up tweet, the account wrote, “Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches. What he said to the team: ‘Love you boys.’”
“The hair on the back of my neck stood up when he said, ‘I love you boys,’” general manager Brandon Beane said after spending the three days at Hamlin’s bedside along with the 24-year-old’s family. “Just to be able to hug him and the grip strength that he had,” Beane said, before recalling what he told Hamlin’s father. “I told him, I’m not a crier, but man it was emotional and a lot of grown men in there crying yesterday. Something I’ll never forget.”