BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Bills announced Saturday afternoon, per the physicians at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar Hamlin is breathing on his own and his neurological function is "excellent."
Per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 7, 2023
He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent.
Hamlin FaceTimed into the team meeting Friday and told the team “Love you boys.”
Sean McDermott said the players in the meeting room stood up and started clapping and yelling when Damar Hamlin joined a zoom call with the team this morning. He said it was a very brief interaction but he was able to make hand gestures. He even flexed his muscles
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 6, 2023
Hamlin told the team “I love you boys” while he was on the call with the team this morning. Was also able to make this symbol a few times 🫶🏼
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 6, 2023
On Thursday, doctors from UCMC spoke to the media for the first time and said Hamlin had shown "remarkable improvement."
Doctors William Knight and Timothy Pritts even shared that Hamlin had been communicating via pen and paper at the time and 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.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen also spoke to the media Thursday for the first time this week.
"The amount of faith, hope, and love that we saw on display over the last three days has been nothing short of amazing," said McDermott.
When asked about McDermott's leadership after Hamlin's collapse on the field, Allen responded "he was the perfect man in that situation, to handle that type of situation. I can't say enough about what he did, what he said to us in the locker room." Allen continued on to say that you lose sleep, you hurt, and have a lot of shared grief, but getting positive updates eases the pain and tension.
Toward the end of the press conference, reporters asked what the team expects Sunday to be like at Highmark Stadium and McDermott said knowing the fan base and the connection they have with the team, he thinks it's going to be very emotional for everyone there and unlike anything he has ever seen before.
