We have witnessed an incredible journey! Just one week after that heart-stopping moment on the football field, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been discharged from the hospital and is continuing his recovery at home. This moment brought collective relief and sparked widespread celebration, all of which began with the unprecedented tragedy that unfolded during the Bills’ game against the Bengals in Cincinnati on January 2.
The scene at Paycor Stadium that Monday night was shocking: a mix of dead silence and urgent action. During a tackle on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin was struck in the chest by Higgins’ helmet. The 24-year-old player briefly stood up before collapsing backward, losing consciousness due to cardiac arrest. The swift judgment and immediate response of the on-site medical staff were critical.
An ambulance on standby was quickly pushed onto the field. Emergency personnel immediately sprang into action, performing life-saving CPR. Over the next nine minutes, they worked tirelessly to restore Hamlin’s heartbeat on the grass. The usual tough-guy atmosphere that permeates NFL games completely dissipated, with players from both teams forming a tight prayer circle, holding hands around Hamlin. Many couldn’t help but shed tears upon seeing their injured teammate. This moment transcended the realm of sports, showcasing the shared humanity beneath the helmets.
Hamlin was rushed to the University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center. Initially, he was anesthetized and placed on a ventilator, with the medical team working to stabilize his condition. The uncertainty surrounding his condition has sparked widespread concern across the nation, leading to an outpouring of support, well-wishes, and most importantly, prayers from people across the country and around the world.
As Hamlin’s condition remains critical, the response from fans, teams, and players has been overwhelming. The NFL community came together, with social media flooded with calls to “pray for Damar.” NFL teams held prayer moments, and some players knelt on the field before games, including the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars before their game on January 7. This demonstrated powerful unity and hope during a time of deep concern.
Amid this wave of support, the “Chasing M’s Foundation,” established by Hamlin in 2020 for a toy donation campaign, saw an unprecedented surge in donations, far exceeding its original fundraising goal of $2,500. By Sunday evening, fans had donated over $8.5 million to the GoFundMe page associated with the foundation. The total quickly surpassed $8.6 million, with over 244,000 donations pouring in, as people expressed their support through concrete actions.
Gradually, a glimmer of hope began to emerge from UC Medical Center. Hamilton showed signs of recovery. As of January 7 (Saturday), although he remained in critical condition, his neurological function was rated as excellent. He was able to breathe on his own and communicate verbally with his family, teammates, and medical team.
The first words Hamlin reportedly uttered after regaining consciousness were a simple yet profound question: “Did we win?” This remarkable detail quickly touched many hearts, symbolizing his competitive spirit and, more importantly, his recovery to a state where he could interact with the world around him. This marked significant progress and became a source of inspiration for everyone following his story.
Hamlin’s medical team at the University of California Medical Center held a press conference to update the public on his extraordinary recovery progress. They noted that he watched the Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots game from his hospital room on January 8 (Sunday). Dr. Timothy Pritz shared the extent of Hamlin’s engagement, recalling, “He was thrilled beyond belief,” and added, “When the kickoff was returned, he jumped up and down, stood up from his chair, triggering all the alarms in the intensive care unit.” This was a truly touching display of his fighting spirit!
Hamlin has also begun posting messages on social media, expressing his gratitude for the outpouring of kindness. He shared photos from his hospital bed and tweeted before the Bills’ game against the Patriots on Sunday: “Game day… all I want to do is run out of the tunnel with my brothers. God is using me in another way today. Tell someone you love them today! Let’s go @BuffaloBills.” His faith is evident, as he frequently mentions it in his posts.
The phrase “Did we win?” quickly became a symbol of resilience and collective victory. Hamlin himself shared a series of links to T-shirts printed with the slogan on Twitter. He wrote on social media: “We all won. I want to give back the love you’ve given me. The proceeds from the sale of these T-shirts will be donated to frontline rescue workers and the UC Trauma Center. Go buy one now!” Each T-shirt is priced at $33, with proceeds donated to the emergency personnel and medical center that saved his life—a truly noble gesture.
On January 9 (Monday), Hamlin was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and transferred to Buffalo General Hospital/Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo, New York. This marks another significant milestone in his recovery journey. He expressed gratitude to the Cincinnati medical team via Twitter, thanking them for the tremendous support he received.
Just two days later, on January 11 (Wednesday), the Buffalo Bills announced exciting news: Damar Hamlin had been discharged from the Buffalo hospital and would return home to continue his rehabilitation. Jamie Nadler, the intensive care physician leading Hamlin’s treatment team in Buffalo, issued a statement: “After completing a series of tests and evaluations, and consulting with the team doctors, we believe Damar can safely be discharged and continue his rehabilitation at home and with the Bills.” This was a moment many had been praying for, bringing a sense of relief.
Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott stated to the media that the team will respect Hamlin’s rehabilitation timeline and allow him to decide when he is ready to return to the team’s training facility. “His health is our top priority,” McDermott said. “We will welcome him back when he feels ready.” Hamlin and his father Mario conveyed to the team their hope that players and staff focus on the upcoming playoff games, demonstrating their dedication even in such a difficult moment.
Through his support of frontline rescue workers and the UC Trauma Center with the “Did We Win?” T-shirts, as well as his backing of the highly influential Chasing M’s Foundation, which advocates for community support and promotes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and the newly established scholarship honoring his Cincinnati medical team, Hamlin is actively giving back “the care you’ve given me.” His influence off the field may be just as profound as his influence on the field.
