Damar Hamlin discharged from Buffalo hospital, will rehab at home

FILE–Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports / Image Image

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been released from the hospital nine days after suffering a heart attack during an NFL game and will continue his rehabilitation at home, the team said Wednesday.

Hamlin, 24, who was transferred to a Buffalo hospital on Monday after a week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, underwent a full medical evaluation and a series of heart, nerve and vascular tests on Tuesday, doctors said.

“We have completed a series of tests and evaluations, and in consultation with team physicians, we are confident that Damar can be discharged safely to continue rehabilitation at home and bills,” Dr. Jamie Nadler, the leader of the treatment team for Hamlin at the Buffalo Public Health Center, said in a statement released by the Bills.

Hamlin collapsed during the January 2nd game against the Cincinnati Bengals moments after making an interception and had to be revived on the field as stunned players from both teams cried, prayed and hugged. The game was delayed and then cancelled.

Hamlin, who had been sedated and placed on a ventilator in critical condition, quickly made remarkable strides in his recovery. Hamlin had his breathing tube removed last Friday and was able to walk around a Cincinnati hospital, and he watched the team win the regular season finale from his hospital bed, live-tweeting throughout the game.

Word of the discharge is good news for the Bills.

“We’re obviously thankful first and foremost for being there and with his parents and his brother, which is great,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters.

“I’m sure it’s been a long time since he’s been able to go home naturally there, and I’m sure it’s a relief.”

McDermott also said Bill will leave it up to Hamlin when he returns to the team facility.

“His health is first and foremost on our mind throughout his situation, and then when he’s ready, we’ll welcome him back,” added McDermott.

After the horrifying scene of Hamlin receiving life-saving CPR on the field that was broadcast on national television, he received a lot of public support, including through a toy fundraiser in 2020 that had an initial goal of raising $2,500 and has now reached it. racked up nearly $9 million in donations.

NFL teams also show their support for second-year NFL players. Members of all teams wore Hamlin-inspired attire at games over the weekend and other expressions of love and support for him took place at various stadiums.

In Buffalo’s game against division rival New England on Sunday, all focus was on Hamlin, and Bills players wore “3” patches on their uniforms in honor of Hamlin’s jersey number.

Selected by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, Hamlin signed a four-year, $3.6 million contract that includes a $160,476 signing bonus and an average annual salary of $910,119.

Hamlin spent his rookie season limited to playing a special teams role but was thrust into Buffalo’s starting lineup last September after an injury to a teammate. He is third on the team with 91 tackles in 15 games this season.

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