family Hamlin devastation On Tuesday he thanked the crowd for their support and asked for continued prayers for the safety of the Buffalo Bills, who remains hospitalized in a critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati Monday night.
“On behalf of our family, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support Dummar has shown during this difficult time. We are deeply touched by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans across the country,” the family said. In a statement released Tuesday morning.
“We also want to pay tribute to the dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar. We feel very fortunate to be a part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they’ve done “Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us. Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them.”
Hamlin’s uncle Dorian Glenn told ESPN’s Colley Harvey outside the hospital Tuesday night that Hamlin is sedated and “better than he was yesterday,” adding, “We’ll just keep praying, and I know he’s in good hands with the medical team that he has here. They’ve done a great job.” colossal.”
Hamlin’s agent, Ron Butler, told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Hamlin’s oxygen levels had improved.
Glenn said Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice – once on the field at Paycor Stadium, and once in the ambulance. He said there were also concerns about possible lung damage.
“I know he’s still here, and I know he’s fighting,” Glenn told ESPN. “We appreciate all the prayers and support we get from people all over the world — not just from the country, but from the world. … It really means for my family to see that, and I know it will mean the difference to Dammar when he sees it.”
Glenn said he was watching the game with relatives in Pittsburgh and described the emotions that ran through the family on Monday night.
“At first we thought it was just a regular hit, and we thought he’d pop up again… maybe he’d take a couple plays and come back,” Glenn said. “But the way my nephew [Hamlin’s 7-year-old younger brother, Damir] I’ve never heard him scream and cry like that. And then, when 10 minutes had passed, and 20 minutes had passed, I realized something was serious.”
Glenn continued, “As soon as they canceled the game, we loaded up a couple of cars and drove from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, just to be here to support my nephew.”
They arrived in Cincinnati early on Tuesday. The cities are about 300 miles apart.
When asked what he witnessed when he got the chance to see Hamlin in the hospital, Glenn said, “I’m not even gonna lie, I turned around. I couldn’t do it. I don’t want to see him like that, and I want to wait until he can recover and I can actually talk to him and you know, see a son.” My brother again.”
Several teams canceled media access Tuesday out of respect for Hamlin, including the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs. The Jacksonville Jaguars eliminated the rest of their presence after guarding Brandon Scherff Wire.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced his weekly attendance on Tuesday and said, “It’s really personal to me. Being a Pittsburgh player and this guy is Pittsburgh.”
“I’ve probably known this guy since he was 12,” said Tomlin. “I’ve had so much respect and love for him as a human being. His commitment to pursuing his goals and dreams by doing what he’s doing now, playing in the NFL, watching him make personal decisions and making that a realization, it’s such an honor to get to know young people in this way. I had the opportunity to express it whenever I see it.”
He added that he had reached out to Bills coach Sean McDermott “to offer any assistance he could.”
Cincinnati Bengals President Mike Brown said in a statement Tuesday morning that the team’s “hearts are with everyone at this unprecedented time – what we can all do is support each other.”
Brown said, “Last night was supposed to be a great night for the NFL and a great show-off for our city. Instead, the human side of our sport became paramount… And in that moment, humanity and love took center stage.” in the statement. “While the medical staff took extraordinary measures, both teams showed respect and sympathy while fans in the stadium and people across the country reinforced Damar’s support and love for one another.
“Bengalis are thankful for the love and mercy shown by all. Praying for Damar.”
Hamlin, 24, regained his heartbeat on the court after suffering cardiac arrest following an injury in the Bills’ game against the Bengals, which was later postponed. CPR was given to Hamlin on the court for several minutes after he collapsed after being tackled by Bengals wide receiver T Higgins. Hamlin received oxygen, according to the ESPN broadcast, was placed in the ambulance and walked off the field about 16 minutes after he collapsed. He was then taken to the nearby University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Hamlin was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft from Pittsburgh, with the Bills’ 212th pick overall.
“Damar Hamlin is much more than just a football player,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement Tuesday. “He’s a loving son, brother, and friend. Damar is a hero to thousands of Pittsburgh kids. Damar, we love you. We pray for you. Pittsburgh always had your back. And now it’s clear the whole country has your back, too.”
Players and fans from across the NFL rallied in support of Hamlin, with vigils held in Cincinnati and outside Bills’ home stadium. In Buffalo, the Bills changed their social media avatar to that of Hamlin’s #3 jersey with the words “Pray for Damar.”
While some Bills players stayed in Cincinnati to be with their teammates, the rest headed home early Tuesday, when they were greeted by a few fans watching silently from the side of the road outside Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
“We are fragile human beings,” Bill left addressing Deon Dawkins He said in the “Sports Center”. “Our brother is fighting, and we’ve taken off all that armor and we’re just human….we unite with only positive vibes and positive spirits and positive prayers…we’re all human and trying to be the best we can be. And at the end of the day, we’re human, we have families, We care, we cry, we are vulnerable, we have emotion, and we feel the same pain as the average person.”
Meanwhile, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that it has delayed the announcement of its 15 finalists for the class of 2023 for at least 24 hours out of respect for Hamlin. The announcement was initially rescheduled for Wednesday at 8 PM ET. The Hall of Fame and NFL Network, which will televise the ad, will meet Wednesday to decide whether or not to continue delaying the news.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg, Brooke Pryor, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.