Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said on Thursday they have seen "substantial improvement" from Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin over the past 24 hours, as he remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
During Thursday's press conference, doctors added Hamlin is communicating with family and medical personnel in writing, even asking who won the game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
"When he asked, 'Did we win?' The answer is, 'Yes, Damar, you won. You've won the game of life,'" said Dr. Timothy Pritts.
Hamlin collapsed on the field at Paycor Stadium on Monday night after suffering cardiac arrest during the first quarter.
Related
While speaking to reporters via Zoom, Dr. Pritts and Dr. William Knight IV said the prompt recognition of his loss of a pulse led to immediate CPR performed by Bills medical and training staff. They said it was critical to not only saving Hamlin's life, but keeping his neurological functions intact.
"It's not only that the lights are on," Dr. Pritts said. "We know that he's home, and it appears that all cylinders are firing within his brain, which is greatly gratifying for all of us."
Both doctors add Hamlin's been holding a lot of people's hands, including their hands too.
Pritts and Knight say there is no timetable for Hamlin's full recovery, or even his release from the hospital, but that his parents and some members of the Bills organization have been with him at his bedside from the very moment he arrived. Their goal is to get him home to his family, and his teammates.
Doctors, Hamlin's parents, and the Bills coaching staff have all communicated to him about the outpouring of support and generous donations. Those donations have totaled nearly $7.4 million as of Thursday afternoon.
"There's going to be a lot of toys for him to buy when he recovers from all of this," Dr. Pritts said.
You can listen to the entire press conference with UC Medical Center doctors available in the player below:
Follow me on Twitter: @SalSports
