Recovering NFL star Damar Hamlin has talked publicly for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest during the Buffalo Bills’ Monday Night Football Game against the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this month.
The 24-year-old promised fans they would ‘hear from his soon’ and he sent out a message Saturday night, speaking publicly for the first time since the terrifying moment on field on January 2.
‘I’m so thankful to everybody and I know that it isn’t enough just to be thankful,’ Hamlin said via his social media channels.
Damar Hamlin has talked publicly for the first time since suffering on-field cardiac arrest
Hamlin (left) had a cardiac arrest after a tackle playing against the Bengals back on January 2
Bills safety Hamlin was released from hospital in Buffalo and continues his recovery at home
‘This is just the beginning of the impact that I wanted to have on the world and with God’s guidance I will continue to do wonderful and great things.
‘I couldn’t do this without any of the support and the love and I can’t wait to continue to take y’all on this journey with me.’
The short message from the full video lasting five minutes and 48 seconds was captioned by the Bills safety: ‘From The Heart – Sincerely 3.’
Hamlin was administered CPR on the field and was taken by ambulance to a Cincinnati hospital
Hamlin collapsed during a Monday Night Football game between the Bengals and visiting Bills and was successfully revived on the field by the Buffalo training staff before being rushed to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Hamlin shared his full message in a reel on his Instagram page, followed by 1.8million people, and the Bills also shared the ‘special message’ Saturday evening.
‘Now that my brothers have closed out a strong winning season as I continue to make so much progress recovering, I think it’s finally a good time to share a few things,’ the thank you clip began.
‘I think it was important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time as it was just a lot to process within my own self, mentally, physically, even spiritually.
‘It’s just been a lot to process but I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of all the love, all the support and everything’s that’s just been coming in my way.
The precise cause of the 24-year-old safety’s cardiac arrest has not been revealed. Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the moments before falling to the turf in Cincinnati
‘What happened to me on Monday Night Football I feel is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world and now I’m able to give it back to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most and that’s always been my dream. That’s always been what I stood for and what I’ll continue to stand for.
‘With that being said I want to thank a few people who thanked me most directly to get back to this moment, to where I’m able to speak to you.
‘The Bills training, athletic and medical staff, notably Nate [Breske], Denny [Kellington], Joe Micca, Tabani, Dr. Bisson, Dr. White, Dr. Kim, Dr. Marc Fineberg, Joe Collins, Dr. Des, Barisa, Dr. Museo, Kori Reblin and last but not least I can’t forget Kels [sic].
‘The University of Cincinnati Medical Center, starting with Dr. Timothy Pritts, Dr. William Knight and all the first responders who acted swiftly and skillfully to save my life.
Hamlin shared his first public statement onto his social media channels and Bills re-shared it
‘To all the medical personnel and healthcare providers at both Cincinnati Medical Center and Buffalo General Hospital, Dr. Jamie Nadler, Dr. Ken Snyder, Dr. Levy, Dr. Chee Kim.
‘To my mom and my dad, who are literally my anchors and my everything who never left my side the entire time.
‘To my little bro, who is my why, my reason why I strive to be my best self, every day and to all my family and friends who supported me in many ways during this time, whether it was showing up for visits or just a single text to check on how I was doing.
‘To Bills Mafia – I just want to thank you so much for the genuine love and support. Ever since I became a Buffalo Bill it’s been nothing but genuine love and support, not even only for me but everyone’ situation, no matter what it was, you know Bills Mafia jump behind it, gave 110 percent support, love, no matter the situation.
‘With this happening I didn’t feel anything short of the love and it really helped me stay encouraged to get through the toughest moments and the toughest times, I really can’t thank you enough.
‘To the entire Bills organization, and my brothers who made it a priority to lift me up spiritually, mentally and in every way possible, reaching out every day, seeing how I was doing, calling, texting, checking up on me, no matter the situation.
‘I’m proud to be a part of this team. I’m proud to be able to call you guys my brothers.
The Cincinnati healthcare providers who treated Bills safety Hamlin following his collapse have been given a key to the city by mayor Aftab Pureval
‘To the city of Cincinnati, to the Bengals and the entire NFL, just for putting team allegiance aside to root for one kid’s life and just the humanity of a player that’s wearing Buffalo blue.
‘You put humanity above team loyalty, you showed the world unity over division. I’m not surprised by it but I’m deeply grateful and I’ll be forever thankful and indebted to that.
‘To all the kids who sent me letters and heartwarming gifts, you mean the world to me. You made my day every day, you inspired me to keep dreaming big and just to keep helping this world a better place.
‘It’s always been important for me to be a role model but just seeing the love and support from the youth it just makes me want to give back and get out in the communities and touch the kids and be that example that they can look to, touch, feel, talk to and know that whatever they dream of, it’s real, it can happen, if you stay focus, stay dedicated, stay committed to whatever you’ve got going on.
‘That’s pretty much what got me here, that’s what got me in this position.
Cincinnati mayor mayor Aftab Pureval (pictured) gave Hamlin’s doctors the key to the city
‘Thank you to everyone who donated in any type of way to The Chasing M’s Foundation. My mind is literally blown away from all the support.
‘I don’t even have the words to express the gratitude for the enormous support that was given in to that. That was something that was started even way before I made it to the NFL.
‘Something that started small just to be able to affect my small community back at home McKees Rocks. I just wanted to play my role and do my part in my community as I venture off in to chase my dreams into NFL and you guys just took that and blown it away.
‘I’m so excited for the things I have planned in the future for these kids all across the country now.’ The message ended with Hamlin making a ‘heart’ sign with his hands.
The Cincinnati healthcare providers who treated Hamlin following his collapse have been given a key to the city by mayor Aftab Pureval.
‘What an honor it was standing alongside these @uchealth heroes this morning,’ read a tweet from Pureval’s account. ‘We gave them a Key to the City for their lifesaving care of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Thank you for representing Cincinnati and providing this kind of advanced care to every patient who needs it.’
The precise cause of the 24-year-old safety’s cardiac arrest has not been revealed. Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the moments before falling to the turf at Paycor Stadium.
UC’s Dr. Timothy Pritts and Dr. William Knight oversaw his care at the facility, which ended on January 9 when he was transferred to a hospital in Western New York.
‘Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart,’ the safety tweeted at the time. ‘Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling. The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more. Bigger than football!’
He has since been released and even appeared at Sunday’s rematch between the Bills and Bengals in Orchard Park, New York.
Hamlin was seen standing in a luxury suite atop Highmark Stadium and even made a ‘heart’ sign with his hands in appreciation for the prayers he received throughout his recovery.
The Bengals won the playoff game, ending the Bills’ season.
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