What did the Bills’ Damar Hamlin say to his teammates after having his breathing tube removed?

Great News! The Buffalo Bills safety is not only breathing unassisted, but was able to speak with his teammates. An incredible turn around in an unbelievably short period of time, brigning a sense of relief that was unimaginable just days ago.

Damar Hamlin speaks with Bills teammates after breathing tube removed

According to an announcement from the Bills on Friday, safey Damar Hamlin had his breathing tube removed, which in turn allowed him to speak with both his family and the team of medical professionals that are caring for him. As is now widely known, Hamlin collapsed on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night after suffering a cardiac arrest. The 24-year-old was then transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition. Needless to say it has been called a “remarkable development.”

The news comes on the back of Thursday’s update from doctors, who disclosed that Hamlin was “neurologically intact,” and had begun to be responsive. As one can imagine, this latest step in Hamlin’s progress will come as a huge relief to not just his family, friends and teammates, but the wider NFL community and many others in the wider world of sports. Speaking on Thursday for the first time since the ordeal, Bills quarterback Josh Allen admitted that the positive updates about Hamlin’s progress, had inspired the team in its preparation for the Week 18 clash with the New England Partiots. “We just want to love up on him the next chance we get,” Allen said. “I don’t know when it’s going to be, but if we get to see him again anytime soon, it’s going to be awesome.” Further to that, the team also disclosed a heart warming detail, in that Hamlin was able to speak with the team via Facetime. “Love you boys,” he said, before reportedly flexing both arms, making a heart symbol and giving a thumbs up.

Hamlin’s recovery has been incredible

It goes without saying, that this is sensational turn around in the youg man’s life. Doctors Timothy Pritts and William Knight IV, of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center admitted that Hamlin’s recovery was “fairly remarkable,” even before he could breathe without the tube. “We can’t say enough about the quick actions of the Bills’ training staff and the physicians who were on the field with getting to him, recognizing that this was a very serious situation and responding and saving his life,” Pritts said.

The support of Damar Hamlin has been something to see.

In the days since the terrible scenes witnessed on Monday, we have seen some incredible examples of humanity, love and kindness. From the immense donations made to Damar Hamlin’s GoFundMe, to a touching show of solidarity from fellow Buffalo based franchise, the Sabres, to the braveness displayed by his family members, who continued to update the public and even defended the Bengals’ Tee Higgins with whom Hamlin collided. Lastly, who could forget the constant backing of his team, some of whom were moved to tears by the news of his continued recovery. “we needed this,” and “I can’t believe it,” they said according to ESPN. This is all to say, we’ve definitely seen a wide array of the kind of words and actions that restore our faith in our neighbors.

Yet, perhaps the best way to put what we’ve witnessed into context, is to go with the words of Hamlin’s uncle, who spoke of the “unification around Damar in the country. “We are absolutely blessed. I believe that the prayers he received from everyone across America have truly impacted his remarkable recovery,” he wrote. “We are forever grateful for the concern and compassion that everyone has demonstrated this past week. Talking with my nephew has been an amazing experience this morning.”