Damar Hamlin’s Family Gives New Update After Bills Player Suffers Cardiac Arrest

Buffalo Bills players huddle and pray after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 collapsed on the field after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 2, 2023. Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s status has improved after he collapsed during a game on Monday night, Jan. 2, against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to family members in interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hamlin’s uncle, Dorian Glenn, told NFL Network that Hamlin is still sedated but has improved to 50 percent oxygen on a ventilator. The Bills player—in his second year in the NFL—remains in intensive care at a Cincinnati hospital.

“Right now, they got him on a ventilator, so they’re trying to get him to breathe on his own,” Glenn told the network. “So, we’re just kind of taking it day by day. Still in the ICU. They have him sedated, so just continue to administer the medical treatment that they’ve been doing.”

The Bills released an update on Hamlin’s status on Tuesday afternoon, saying that he remains in intensive care and in critical condition. That was the last update provided by the team.

During ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast, Hamlin tackled Bengals wideout Tee Higgins. After the play ended, Hamlin collapsed and remained on the field for about 15 minutes as paramedics rushed to give him CPR.

“They were resuscitating him on the field before they brought him in the hospital and then resuscitated him a second time when he got to the hospital,” Glenn told CNN in a separate interview. “I just want to show my gratitude for the medical staff that were on hand because if not for them, my nephew probably wouldn’t even be here.”

Glenn told CNN that he was watching the game with relatives in Pittsburgh and arrived in Cincinnati early Tuesday. “I never cried so hard in my life,” Glenn said. “Just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life. I mean, it’s just heartbreaking.”

Updates

In a Twitter post, the Bills said Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and that his “heartbeat was restored on the field” before being rushed to UC Medical Center. Family members and the Bills have not released a possible reason cause of his cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops beating suddenly.

“I’m really, really thankful for the medical staff that’s been working with him,” Glenn told NFL Network.

Buffalo Bills players react after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 was injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 2, 2023. Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

He added that “they’ve been truly awesome and helping him with his recovery. It was a really, truly scary scene to witness that yesterday, as everyone in the country probably can agree with. I would have felt the way I felt no matter who it was, but for it to be my nephew, man, it was especially more of a gut punch to see that. I’m thankful that he’s still here, he’s still alive, and he’s still fighting. We’re just taking it day by day and continue to let the medical staff do what they do.”

And a family spokesman, Jordon Rooney, told news outlets that doctors obtained promising readings about Hamlin, adding that progress appears to have been made. He didn’t elaborate.

Like Glenn, Rooney said Hamlin remains sedated and in critical condition inside the Cincinnati hospital.

The Bills–Bengals game, which has significant AFC playoff implications, was postponed for about an hour after Hamlin collapsed. On Tuesday, the NFL said the game would not be played this week, and the league has not determined when—or if—it will be held.

“The NFL continues to be in regular contact with the medical team caring for Damar Hamlin, and also the Bills and Bengals organizations and the NFL Players Association. After speaking with both teams and NFLPA leadership, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the clubs today that the Bills-Bengals game will not be resumed this week,” the league said in a statement.

It added: “The NFL has made no decision regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date. The league has not made any changes to the Week 18 regular season schedule. We will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.”

Hamlin’s family also released a statement saying that “we also want to acknowledge the dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar” and that “we feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they’ve done.”