ORCHARD PARK, NY (AP) — As remarkable as Damar Hamlin’s recovery is, the Buffalo Bills safety is still awaiting a lengthy rehabilitation, some three weeks after suffering cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the field during a game in Cincinnati his marketing rep told The Associated Press Thursday night.
“Damar still needs oxygen and his heart is being checked regularly to make sure there are no setbacks or after effects,” said Jordon Rooney. “Although he is able to visit the team’s facility, Damar is unable to travel often and needs extra rest to help his body heal.”
Rooney gave the update to highlight that Hamlin continues to face hurdles since he was discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center on Jan. 11. Hamlin’s release came five days after his doctors said the player was breathing on his own, walking, talking and showing no signs of neurological damage. .
Rooney’s update also gave perspective to comments from Bills coach Sean McDermott, who said Wednesday that Hamlin has begun making regular visits to the team’s facility. However, McDermott stressed that the 24-year-old was taking “one baby step at a time,” adding that Hamlin “dips his toe back into this and sets off to just get back to himself.”
Hamlin has yet to make a public appearance, other than a photo that linebacker Matt Milano posted to his Instagram account Saturday of his teammate at the Bills facility. And he has not yet spoken publicly except for posting on his social media accounts.
Rooney said Hamlin is being watched over by his parents and “remained very cheerful and grateful for the support he has received from his teammates and coaches, Bills Mafia and people from all over the world.” That outpouring of support led to Hamlin’s charitable foundation, Chasing M’s, raising nearly $9 million in donations.
Without saying where from, he added, Hamlin will cheer for the Bills on Sunday when Buffalo hosts Cincinnati in an AFC divisional playoff.
Hamlin tweeted live while watching Buffalo’s 35-23 season win over New England from his hospital bed at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Jan. 8. Last weekend, he tweeted live while watching the Bills’ 34-31 from home. win against Miami in a wild card playoff.
The game against Cincinnati has an additional significance. It is the first meeting between the two teams since their game was canceled on January 2, when Hamlin collapsed after being punched squarely in the chest while making what appeared to be a routine tackle from Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
Hamlin’s family and Bills quarterback Josh Allen have defended Higgins saying he shouldn’t be blamed for what happened.
On Thursday, Higgins said he greatly appreciated the family’s support, while expressing hope that Hamlin could attend the game so the two could meet.
“Just be glad to see him,” Higgins said. “I haven’t really talked to him. Just let his family do what he needs to do with all his loved ones.”
Also on Thursday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her support for Hamlin during a phone call with the player. In a post on her Twitter account, Hochul referred to Hamlin as “an inspiration,” letting him know “the hopes and prayers of 20 million New Yorkers have been with him during his recovery.”
Hamlin, who is from the Pittsburgh area, responded by writing that it was a good meeting with Hochul and he was “excited to see how our collaborations will help and impact so many in the future.”
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Cincinnati AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy contributed to this report.
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