Poppy Bilderbeck
People are flocking to social media in support of Damar Hamlin after Buffalo Bills released an update on the NFL player's condition.
On Monday (2 January), 24-year-old American professional footballer Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest mid-game.
Hamlin was playing for the Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati when he collapsed on the pitch soon after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
Hamlin was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after his heartbeat was restored using CPR by local paramedics on site at the game.
Advert
And now, the Buffalo Bills have taken to social media to update fans on Hamlin's condition.
On Wednesday (4 January), the NFL team took to Twitter to update followers as to Hamlin's health, saying in a statement: "Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight.
"He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him."
Fans of the 24-year-old football star have since flocked to the post to wish him a speedy recovery.
"Keep fighting. Huge shoutout to the entire medical staff," one user wrote, as another said: "Continued prayers for Damar, the Hamlin family and entire medical staff. May the progress, at any capacity, continue to be upward and positive."
"Come through God," a third commented.
And a final resolved: "He will pull through this!!!"
Hamlin's uncle, Dorrian Glenn, told CNN he's 'never cried so hard in [his] life' than when he saw his Hamlin collapse.
He said: "Just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life. I mean, it's just heartbreaking."
Glenn noted Hamlin remains on a ventilator and is sedated because doctors 'just want him to have a better chance of recovering better'.
"They feel that if he's sedated, his body can heal a lot faster," the uncle noted.
The Buffalo Bills game against Cincinnati Bengals was suspended following the emergency and at the time of writing, there has been 'no decision' on whether or not it will actually go ahead in the future, with talks of a possible 'no contest' or tie.
On Tuesday (3 January), the NFL and other sports teams lit up their stadiums in blue and red to show their support for Hamlin.
In an interview with ESPN, Glenn showed his appreciation to all those who have been rallying around the Damlin family and wishing the 24-year-old footballer well on social media.
The uncle resolved: "It really means a difference for my family to see that, and I know it'll mean a difference to Damar when he sees that."