Damar Hamlin released from hospital a week after collapse
Damar Hamlin has been released from hospital a week after he collapsed on the field of play and his heart stopped during a Buffalo Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tributes and well wishes had poured in for the star and they will be very glad to know he has now been released from hospital following the scary moment.
Dr William A. Knight made the positive announcement at a news conference today (9 January) a week after Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field.
The 24-year-old had collapsed with five minutes to play in the first quarter of the game, having been involved in a tackle with Bengals player Tee Higgins.
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While Hamlin had initially risen to his feet as though nothing was wrong and it was just a routine tackle, he then fell to the turf and lay motionless to the significant concern of his teammates.
Medics administered CPR to Hamlin as he lay on the field, resuscitating him once there and again when an ambulance had taken him to hospital.
Since then updates on his recovery have been encouraging, with the Buffalo Bills saying Damar had made a 'remarkable improvement' in the days since his collapse.
The good news has continued as Dr Knight said Damar was 'doing well' but spoke with caution against the chances of the Buffalo Bills player returning to the game any time soon.
He said: "He is doing well and this is the beginning of the next stage of his recovery.
"It is entirely too premature to discuss, not only his football; it’s that we’re really focused on his day-to-day recovery."
Hamlin has been well enough to follow the progress of the Buffalo Bills, tweeting during their 35-22 win over the New England Patriots that there's 'nothing I want more than to be running out that tunnel with my brothers'.
While the star would dearly love to get back to playing he will have to focus on his long road to recovery, but being let out of hospital is a hugely positive sign for a man who last week was being kept alive by CPR.
He was well enough to make his first public statement yesterday (8 January) on social media.
He wrote: When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much. 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!"
Joe Harker