As a sedated Damar Hamlin lay before him in a Cincinnati hospital bed surrounded by machinery feeding him oxygen and fluids, Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas provided a few words of encouragement to his friend.
B次元官网网址淚 just told him, I got him. ThatB次元官网网址檚 all,B次元官网网址 Thomas said Wednesday. B次元官网网址淛ust saying the same thing: I got his back and youB次元官网网址檙e going to get through it.B次元官网网址
It didnB次元官网网址檛 matter to Thomas whether the Buffalo Bills safety could hear him. More important to Thomas, who made the two-hour drive from Indianapolis to Cincinnati, was being by the side of Hamlin B次元官网网址 his former high school teammate in Pittsburgh B次元官网网址 and the playerB次元官网网址檚 family.
B次元官网网址淚t just calmed me down and made that trip home a lot easier,B次元官网网址 Thomas said. B次元官网网址淚 could just go home and I could just know that heB次元官网网址檚 going to be straight. IB次元官网网址檝e got him. The worldB次元官网网址檚 got him.B次元官网网址
Two days after the 24-year-old on the field during a game at the Bengals, an immense outpouring of support continued.
on Tuesday, it was time for the NFL community B次元官网网址 those who know Hamlin and those who had never heard of him before Monday B次元官网网址 to express its support with most teams returning to practice.
Though heB次元官网网址檚 still under sedation, HamlinB次元官网网址檚 recovery from cardiac arrest continues moving in B次元官网网址渁 positive direction,B次元官网网址 the playerB次元官网网址檚 marketing representative, Jordon Rooney, told The Associated Press by phone.
B次元官网网址淲e all remain optimistic,B次元官网网址 Rooney said, adding that HamlinB次元官网网址檚 family asked him not to go into further detail.
The Bills said Hamlin was still in critical condition but displayed signs of improvement. They said he was expected to remain in intensive care.
Rooney said HamlinB次元官网网址檚 family was buoyed by the words and acts of kindness the second-year player has received since being transported by ambulance to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
B次元官网网址淭hey are elated right now,B次元官网网址 Rooney said. B次元官网网址淒amar is still their first concern. But for them, they always look at how they can turn a somewhat troubling situation into a good one. The bounce back from this, for him and his family is going to be incredible.B次元官网网址
The family is quickly discovering how much of an impression Hamlin has made.
New York Giants coach and former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll wore a cap with HamlinB次元官网网址檚 No. 3 on it.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips had dinner delivered to the hospital for HamlinB次元官网网址檚 family and medical staff.
B次元官网网址淒amar was close to my locker and when I spent my time in Buffalo and helped out with my foundation because of his giving nature,B次元官网网址 said Phillips, who spent his first four seasons with Buffalo before signing with Minnesota. B次元官网网址淏ut I was a bit surprised at how many people who have zero ties and zero connections to him or to Buffalo, and how much theyB次元官网网址檙e impacted because we are a brotherhood.B次元官网网址
In Denver, rookie cornerback Damarri Mathis was too uncomfortable addressing the Broncos about Hamlin, his former University of Pittsburgh teammate. Interim coach Jerry Rosburg spoke up for him.
B次元官网网址淭o Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, Damarri Mathis, your teammate, our teammate, told us all about you,B次元官网网址 Rosburg said. B次元官网网址淗e told us of your high character and your friendliness. And he told us of your incredible ability to lead people to a loving commitment to others, community service and raising other people up. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a remarkable thing. So, today, Damar, we honor you.B次元官网网址
The Bills, meantime, were still dealing with the shock of seeing their teammate collapse on the field after making a tackle, his heart not beating.
After returning home early Tuesday once the game was suspended, the Bills held meetings and a walkthrough practice without any media availability on Wednesday. They are expected to resume practice on Thursday ahead of their home game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent said his discussions with Bills coach Sean McDermott have focused solely on mental health and how McDermott and the team are dealing with what happened.
B次元官网网址淚t is tough. And coach is still battling,B次元官网网址 Vincent said, his voice cracking.
The Patriots also pushed back their media availability to Thursday, and noted the NFL approved giving both teams an extra day B次元官网网址渄ue to these unique circumstances.B次元官网网址
What remains unclear is the BillsB次元官网网址 game against the Bengals, which has major implications in determining the top spot in the AFC. The playoffs are set to open on Jan. 14.
The Chiefs (13-3) have a half-game lead over Buffalo (12-3), with the Bills owning the tiebreaker after beating Kansas City this season. The Bengals (11-4) are currently the third seed and have also defeated the Chiefs.
Hamlin was hurt in the first quarter when he was struck squarely in the chest while making what appeared to be routine tackle of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin briefly got up and adjusted his facemask before collapsing backward.
Hamlin was selected by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Pitt. He spent his rookie season limited to special teams roles, and took over the starting safety job in Week 3 in place of veteran Micah Hyde, who remains sidelined by a neck injury.
Fans, team owners and players B次元官网网址 including Tom Brady and Russell Wilson B次元官网网址 have made donations to HamlinB次元官网网址檚 Chasing MB次元官网网址檚 Foundation, which had raised more than $6.6 million by late Wednesday afternoon.
B次元官网网址淒amar would want to use this to help other people. He would hate for all his attention to just be on him and there not be a positive outcome,B次元官网网址 Rooney told reporters at the hospital. B次元官网网址淪o, I mean, thatB次元官网网址檚 Damar. I mean, his entire life is spent towards providing and serving other people. ThatB次元官网网址檚 just who he is.B次元官网网址
B次元官网网址擩ohn Wawrow, The Associated Press