ORCHARD PARK, NY (AP) — “Prayer to Damar 3” has been answered. Buffalo Bills safety Dumar Hamlin is finally home.
Hamlin was released from a hospital in Buffalo Wednesday, nine days after suffering cardiac arrest on a Cincinnati field and being resuscitated on the field to surprise and grieve his teammates and put him on NFL hold, the Bills announced.
In a news release issued by the team, Dr. Jamie Nadler said, “After completing a battery of tests and evaluations and in consultation with the team’s physicians, we are confident that Damar will be discharged safely.
It’s the next big step doctors are calling Hamlin made a remarkable recovery, two days after he was deemed healthy enough to be transferred from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to Buffalo General Medical Center.Nadler said Hamlin, 24, will continue his rehab with the Bills.
Bills and Nadler did not disclose the results of tests Hamlin underwent to determine why his heart had stopped in Buffalo over the past two days. After Bengals receiver Tee Higgins hit him squarely in the chest, it looked like a regular tackle. Hamlin collapsed in the first quarter of a canceled Buffalo game in Cincinnati on Jan. 2 in a chilling scene played out in front of millions on television.
“It shows what type of kid he is, how he keeps fighting and winning,” said Dion Dawkins, who left the Bills tackle. “There is no place he likes better than his own bed. Bless him.”
As Hamlin’s recovery progressed, the Bills’ and NFL’s message changed from ‘prayers for Dummer 3’ to ‘love for Dummer 3’ by the end of last week, with the entire league honoring Hamlin wearing No. 3. I was.An emotionally draining week that closed out the regular season with a 35-23 win over New England.
“It’s a great feeling,” quarterback Josh Allen said Wednesday after practice as the Bills (13-3) prepared for a wild card playoff against division rival Miami Dolphins (9-8). Sunday’s game: “As a team, we are very happy.”
As much as players want to see Hamlin in person, Allen warned that they may have to wait for Hamlin to gain power.
“Making sure he’s slowing down and obviously trying to get back to himself,” Allen added. I hope he knows he’s ready.”
Coach Sean McDermott said it would be up to Hamlin to decide when to visit the team, saying, “When he feels ready, we welcome him back.”
Hamlin spent the first two days in the hospital under sedation and showed no signs of neurological damage when he woke up on January 4. , “I love boys.”
On Sunday, Hamlin live-tweeted during the Bills’ win, watching teammate Nyheim Hines return the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown as he shot numerous shots around the intensive care unit. The doctor joked that the alarm had rung.
After moving to Buffalo, Hamlin be careful on twitter It read: “Special Thanks – Thank you Buffalo General. Nothing but love since our arrival!” while asking his followers to continue praying for him.
His doctors said Hamlin’s progress in recovering from cardiac arrest, considered a life-threatening event, is accelerating from normal.
In the days that followed, $8.6 million in GoFundMe donations poured into Hamlin’s Toy Drive fundraiser.is used to help young people through education and sports.
Hamlin, from the Pittsburgh suburb of McKee’s Rock, will also use proceeds from the sale of new T-shirts emblazoned with “Did We Win?” Along with his hand in the shape of a heart to raise funds for the Cincinnati trauma center that treated him in the first place.
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Associated Press reporter Carolyn Thompson in Buffalo contributed to this report.
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