Los Angeles—Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin said Saturday the love shown to him after his cardiac arrest in an NFL game has been “overwhelming” as players and coaches continued to show support for the hospitalized player.
Saturday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders had just kicked off when Hamlin posted his first social media comments since his frightening collapse in Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” the 24-year-old wrote on his Instagram account.
“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! #3strong” he added.
NFL players, coaches and fans again showed their support for Hamlin before Saturday’s Chiefs-Raiders game, the first action in the league since Monday’s game was abandoned in the wake of Hamlin’s medical emergency.
Players and coaching staff at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, wore tee-shirts with ‘Love for 3 Damar’ while Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wore a hoodie with the slogan ‘Hamlin Strong’ on the back and an image of the player.
Hamlin collapsed after taking a hard hit to the chest while tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins during the first quarter of the nationally televised game in Cincinnati on Monday.
He was resuscitated on the field and hospitalized in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC).
The sobering scenes sparked vigils on his behalf in both Buffalo and Cincinnati. Fans across the country donated millions of dollars to Hamlin’s charity GoFundMe.
By Wednesday, doctors were calling Hamlin’s progress “remarkable.”
After having a breathing tube removed he was able to hold a video call with teammates on Friday.
The Bills released an update on Hamlin on Saturday.
“Per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition. He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent,” the team said.