Damar Hamlin's former teammate buys dinner for doctors and nurses treating him
One of Damar Hamlin's former teammates has been buying dinner for the doctors and nurses treating him.
Buffalo Bills safety Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field during Monday's (2 January) NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin has been receiving treatment in hospital following the incident, but the Bills said yesterday (5 January) that he has shown 'remarkable improvement'.
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Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips - who used to play alongside Hamlin for the Bills - has been trying to help in whatever way he can since he heard the news.
"We left the game early, and I was just refreshing Twitter every second, reading every tweet out there, just waiting to hear what's going on and what could happen," he said in a press conference on Wednesday (4 January).
"I sent out a bunch of text messages to almost all my [former] teammates.
"For all the teammates that were rallied around them there, it was a very hard scene to see. You can try to picture it as best you can, but it was a very hard scene.
"So I've obviously been praying. I got on my knees, praying and trying to figure out, 'What can you do?'
"There's nothing really to do other than try to reach out to everyone you can and make sure that they know that they're loved and bring as much support as you can."
Not content with just sending love and support, the 26-year-old decided to send food too.
He managed to connect with a nurse at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and he was able to arrange meals for the intensive care unit staff, the Bills training staff and Hamlin's family.
"I found a sandwich shop and ordered food — chips, drinks and sandwiches, everything I could find, salads, whatever — for all the doctors, nurses on the ICU ER floor, the members of Damar's family that were there, the training staff of the Bills," he said.
"They were able to deliver that for dinner last night.
"I have a buffet of Chipotle stuff [Wednesday night] coming for dinner for all of the doctors and nurses – I think there's 50 or so. I just wanted to try to do something."
Hamlin has now had his breathing tube removed, and the Bills confirmed today (Friday 6 January) that Hamlin has spoken with his team-mates on FaceTime.
In a statement, Hamlin's team said: "Per the physicians at UCMC (University of Cincinnati Medical Center), 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."
Later, the Bills tweeted: "Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches.
"What he said to the team: 'Love you, boys.'"
Jake Massey