CNN
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Less than a week since their teammate Damar Hamlin had a cardiac arrest playgroundthe Buffalo Bills are scheduled to host the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Hamlin collapsed during Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in front of visibly distressed players and a stunned stadium.
As the world anxiously awaits updates, the Bills said Thursday there has been a “remarkable improvement” in his health, with doctors saying the player’s “neurological condition and function are intact.”
On Friday, the team tweeted that Hamlin’s breathing tube had been removed overnight, doctors said, and he was able to speak to his family and healthcare providers.
The Bills’ safety said on Instagram on Saturday that he is grateful for the love he has received and asked for continued prayers for a “long road” ahead.
Hamlin’s teammates, many of whom were in tears watching the medical team resuscitate the 24-year-old, met for a visit on Wednesday and held their first full practice of the week on Thursday.
Hamlin was able to join a team meeting via FaceTime on Friday and was able to talk to players and coaches. “I love you boys,” he told the team.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters the players “got up right away and clapped for him” when Hamlin came on call.
At a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game, Bills quarterback Josh Allen told reporters that focusing on football has been difficult with his teammate still in the hospital.
“I think putting that helmet back on was a really good thing for our team and just to go through that process,” he said Thursday.
But I would be lying to you if I didn’t say that some people are going to be changed forever after being in the field and witnessing this and feeling these emotions.
“The best way to keep moving forward, obviously the updates we keep getting on Damar, really lift our spirits. Lean on each other, talk to each other.
We had very open, honest and deep discussions. Some amazing, it sounds weird, but some kiss like men, just hugging someone and just leaning into them.
“There’s been a lot of stuff going around and you need it every moment, you really need it. I think the fact that we keep hearing good news about Damar keeps us going.
The Hamlin Collapse is the last in a chain of the recent tragedies that have struck the Buffalo community, including one racist mass shooting and one historic blizzard it left at least 41 dead in Erie County, New York.
A senior member of the Bills organization told CNN’s Coy Wire they broke down in tears after day and night meetings on Tuesday, sobbing because of the seriousness of the situation.
Buffalo’s string of beatings has built up emotionally within the organization, the source said, adding that through it all the team has tried to be a source of strength for the city.
McDermott has been praised by his players for his handling of the Hamlin situation and the 48-year-old says the number one priority is the health and well-being of his players.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, McDermott said a Zoom call with Damar’s father Mario on Wednesday helped the players feel more comfortable preparing for the game.
“Damar’s dad spoke to the team and his message was really that the team needs to focus on the goals that they set out to do,” McDermott said Thursday.
Damar would have wanted it that way. And so that includes our game against New England this week. And I think that helped.
Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins told CNN the short meeting “took quite a weight off our shoulders.”
“Seeing the expression of his dad on his face was honestly all we needed to take a giant leap forward,” Dawkins told CNN’s Don Lemon on Friday.
The entire NFL community rallied behind Hamlin and his team this week, and Patriots quarterback Mac Jones said preparing to face the Bills was tough.
“We’re all here, you know, we have a job to do, but we’re really concerned about him, his family and I’m just trying to get updates and make sure he’s okay and healthy. ‘to be there for the Bills and their organization as well,’ he told reporters.
So certainly a lot of emotions and things like that running around and trying to stay focused on the game is tough.
“It’s a hard thing to do and it’s just something you have to focus on every day and obviously send your prayers and continue your routine as best you can.”
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