John Wawrow and Carolyn Thompson —
The Associated Press
Damar Hamlin, the NFL football player who collapsed due to cardiac arrest last week during a game with his team, the New York Buffalo Bills, was released Monday by the doctors treating him at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio) Medical Center after being resuscitated on the field of play.
Hamlin has thus been able to return by plane to Buffalo, where he will continue his treatment at a local hospital, and is "fine", according to Dr. William Knight.
Doctors said Hamlin
has been walking since Friday
, eating regular meals and receiving therapy.
He is on a normal or even accelerated trajectory in his recovery from cardiac arrest, which is considered to be a life-threatening incident.
Usually, the doctors said, recovering from such an episode can take weeks to months.
“
We are excited about the recovery progress,”
said Dr. Timothy Pritts.
Fans hold a sign in support of Hamlin during a game against the New England Patriots on Sunday at Orchard Park. Jeffrey T. Barnes / AP
Hamlin's discharge comes a day after the player cheered on the Bills from his hospital bed in a 35-23 regular-season-ending win over the New England Patriots.
The game showed an overwhelming show of support for the Bills and Hamlin.
The Bills wore Hamlin's No. 3 patches on their jerseys and honored his teammate by holding up three fingers in the final minutes, while tight end Dawson Knox celebrated his
touchdown
by making a heart shape with his hands.
The fans also joined these demonstrations of support, showing red hearts and signs with the number 3.
Hamlin responded on his Twitter account with a message to Knox.
[Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest (not a heart attack): these are the differences and how you revive someone]
Hamlin, 24, has made significant progress since his first two days in Cincinnati under sedation and breathing on a ventilator.
They woke him up Wednesday night and he was able to hold the hands of his loved ones.
On Friday, Hamlin was able to breathe on his own and even addressed the team via video conference, in which he told them,
"I love you guys."
Damar Hamlin can now talk and FaceTimed his teammates.
This told them
Jan 6, 202300:24
The latest information from the doctors came on Saturday, when they described Hamlin's neurological function as "excellent", although he remained in critical condition.
Later that day, Hamlin tweeted: “Giving love to the world comes back and triples…I'm thankful for everyone who reached out and prayed for me.
This will make me stronger on the road to recovery, please keep praying for me!”
The NFL showed its support for Hamlin during every game in Week 18 by including a moment in his honor before the game, painting Hamlin's number 3 at the 30-yard line, and pregame jerseys with the phrase "Love for Damar 3." ”.
Hamlin's heart stopped Monday night after making what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first quarter against the Bengals.
The game was suspended and later cancelled.
