News

1/9/23

3 min read

Bills' Hamlin Discharged From Hospital, Starting Physical Therapy

Jan 8, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans show their support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was discharged from the hospital in Cincinnati on Monday and moved to another hospital in Buffalo, doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said in a press conference.

"Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart," Hamlin tweeted. "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!"

Hamlin is starting physical therapy, walking around and eating a normal diet just one week after he collapsed on the field against the Bengals due to cardiac arrest.

"I can confirm he is doing well, and this is the beginning of the next stage of his recovery," Dr. William Knight said.

This update comes after a Sunday in which the NFL, players and the Bills honored Hamlin pregame by carrying out flags with his number and holding a dedicated moment before the national anthem, while players across the league wore "Love for Damar" shirts during warmups.

Hamlin tweeted he was watching Sunday's game from his hospital room, and he tweeted "OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!" in response to the Bills returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Doctors said Hamlin was out of his chair and jumping up and down so loudly after Nyheim Hines' touchdown he set off every alarm in the ICU.

Buffalo went on to beat New England 35-23 and clinch the AFC's No.2 seed.

As Hamlin improved steadily throughout last week, he took to Instagram and Twitter to make his first public comments since his injury on Saturday.

"When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x's as much," Hamlin wrote. "The Love has been overwhelming, but I'm thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!"

The good news started on Wednesday when Hamlin started to awaken and continued on Thursday when it was reported he was neurologically intact and capable of communicating with his friends and family. On Friday, Hamlin's breathing tube was removed, and he was able to speak with his Bills' teammates for the first time.

The Bills' next game is against the Dolphins on Sunday in the first round of the 2023 NFL playoffs.

WATCH: NFL, Bills Did Tremendous Job Honoring Hamlin


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