On Monday, doctors announced that Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been transferred from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to a hospital in Buffalo, NY. This comes just one week after he suffered a cardiac episode during a Monday game.
Hamlin, 24, was transferred from UCMC to Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute on Monday, where he will receive treatment and undergo testing.
"I traveled with him to the airport this morning with our UC Health air care and local care crew, including teammates that were with us on the field when Damar Hamlin collapsed," Dr. William Knight told reporters on Monday, according to the NFL.
"He landed safely and, as standard with anybody who has gone through what he's gone through this past week and certainly after flying on a plane, he's going to be observed and monitored to ensure that there's no impact on the flight of his condition or on his lungs."
"Dr. [Timothy] Pritts and I have spoken extensively with his air team in Buffalo, and I can confirm that he's doing well and this is the beginning of the next stage of his recovery. ... Since our last update to you, Damar Hamlin has met a number of key milestones on his journey to recovery."
Hamlin has been able to walk again and tolerate a "regular diet," Knight noted.
Hamlin has been undergoing physical and occupational therapy as he continues to recover.
Knight also told reporters that Hamlin remained in the UCMC surgical intensive care unit until his release on Monday.
Hamlin also thanked his fans on social media in his first post since the health scare took place.
"Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart. Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling." he tweeted.
"The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more. Bigger than football!"
Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart. π«ΆπΎ
β πππ¦ππ« πππ¦π₯π’π§ (@HamlinIsland) January 9, 2023
Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling.
The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more.
Bigger than football! π«ΆπΎ
During his stay at UCMC, Hamlin watched Sunday's Bills game against the New England Patriots. The Bills won 35-23. During the opening play of the game, Bills running back Nyheim Hines scored a 96-yard touchdown off the kickoff return.
"He did watch the game on Sunday," Pritts said. "He was beyond excited and feels very supported by the outpouring of love from across the league, and especially from the Buffalo area. We've learned this week that the Bills Mafia is a very real thing, and we all feel the love from you all in Western New York. He watched the game yesterday. When the opening kickoff was run back, he jumped up and down, got out of his chair, set, I think, every alarm off in the ICU in the process, but he was fine. It was just an appropriate reaction to an exciting play. He very much enjoyed it and enjoys the support from everyone."
Hamllin also Facetimed his team after Sunday's game and was presented with the game ball.
Related:
'God Using Me in a Different Way': Bills' Damar Hamlin Grateful for Prayers
ESPN Analyst's Bold Prayer for Damar Hamlin Goes Viral with 13 Million Views
NFL World Turns to Prayer after Damar Hamlin Collapses: 'Jesus, Be with Our Guy'
Photo courtesy: Β©Getty Images/Bryan M. Bennett/Stringer
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
