By Marisa Laudadio
1:40am PST, Jan 9, 2023
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On Jan. 2, 2023, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, 24, collapsed on the field in front of millions of viewers seconds after he tackled Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, leaving NFL players and fans supporting both teams in shock — and many in tears. His team soon confirmed that he'd suffered a cardiac arrest. After Damar was taken from the field by ambulance after medical personnel performed CPR and restored his heartbeat, he was rushed to a local hospital and remained in critical condition for days. On Jan. 5, his agent and a teammate confirmed joyful news: Damar was awake and communicating. According to a social media post from his team, Damar "has shown remarkable improvement" and though still "critically ill," he also "appears to be neurologically intact" and "his lungs continue to heal." Then on Jan. 6 came more good news: "Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar's breathing tube was removed overnight. He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team," the Bills announced.
Damar's family also released a statement amid his health crisis, saying on Jan. 3, "On behalf of our family we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time. We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country… 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. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us."
Read what Hollywood stars and stars from the sports world are saying as they root for the football star's recovery…
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"We're praying for Damar and his family this morning in Tampa. Moments like this put into perspective what it means to play this game we love. Thankful for our communities in Cincinnati and Buffalo for the overwhelming level of care and support I know they'll continue to provide." –Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady
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"This is so upsetting and the scene on the field was terrifying. Praying for Damar and his family," Katie Couric tweeted before later promoting the charity work Damar holds so dear. "A holiday toy drive fundraiser created by #DamarHamlin in 2020 is still active and now has over $3 million in donations," she posted, adding a link to the GoFundMe.
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"I'm praying that you pull through bro. Love," tweeted Tee Higgins, the Cincinnati Bengals receiver Damar Hamlin tackled before suffering cardiac arrest.
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"#DamarHamlin you are in my prayers " –actress Kerry Washington
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"My deepest thoughts & prayers are with #DamarHamlin, his family, friends & teammates." –rock musician Bret Michaels
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"I seen the play, but I don't know what happened," NBA star LeBron James initially told reporters after his own game. "My thoughts and super prayers go up to the skies above for that kid's family, for him, for that brotherhood of the NFL, and everybody who's a part of the NFL family. It's definitely the right call, by whoever made that call, Roger Goodell [NFL Commissioner] or whoever had the authority to make that call to suspend that [game]. The safety of players in all sports is always the most important. It was a terrible thing to see." He added, as reported by CNN, "I'm a huge fan of the NFL. I'm a huge fan of football. You never want to see anything like that happen in the type of competition they're playing in." LeBron later tweeted a video of Damar greeting his family on the field, captioning it, "Praying for you kid!!!"
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"Woke up this morning and the first thing I thought of was Damar and his family. The Hamlin family is heavy on our minds and hearts" –Dwyane Wade
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"PRAYERS UP! GOD BE WITH U DAMAR " –actress Vivica A. Fox
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"Praying hard… please be okay man." –Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
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"Watching as Bills player, Damar Hamlin suddenly collapsed on the field and then received CPR for 9 minutes…Absolutely terrifying." –country music singer John Rich
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"Please pray for Damar Hamlin and his family. Prayers up #BuffaloBills" –actor Chad Michael Murray
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"God please be with Damar in this time of need" –former football player-turned-sports analyst Reggie Bush
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"Sending my prayers to Damar and his family. I'm wishing him a full and safe recovery. It is bigger than sports … we should all continue to surround him and his family with prayer and positivity." –tennis star Coco Gauff
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"God be with Damar … Unbelievably sad…. Heart is extremely heavy right now. Prayers for @HamlinIsland his health and the Hamlin Family now. Life is too important. Cherish every moment." –Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield
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"Prayers for Damar Hamlin of the @BuffaloBills" –Wolf Blitzer
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"Please join me in prayer for Damar Hamlin " –football player Tim Tebow
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"The game is not important. Damar Hamlin's life is important. Please be ok. Please. " –Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt
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"Prayers for Damar Hamlin." –actor Lenny Jacobson
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"No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game – but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant," sports columnist Skip Bayless tweeted, drawing overwhelming criticism. An hour later, he tweeted again, writing, "Nothing is more important than that young man's health. That was the point of my last tweet. I'm sorry if that was misunderstood but his health is all that matters. Again, everything else is irrelevant. I prayed for him & will continue to."
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"as a country hopefully all our thoughts and prayers are with Damar Hamlin and his family, I can't even imagine and if there's anyway at all to help I pray he feels like he has a country behind him." –Zach Bryan
