CINCINNATI — There was wonderful news from Damar Hamlin’s medical team on Friday as the Bills shared that his breathing tube had been removed and he was able to talk.
What You Need To Know
- The Buffalo Bills said Friday that Damar Hamlin was breathing on his own and talking
- Fans have made a number of signs of support outside of University of Cincinnati Medical Center
- Elementary school students in Cincinnati have also held a letter-writing campaign to wish Hamlin a healthy recovery
Outside of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center sits dozens of signs wishing Hamlin the best. Bengals fan Lori Davis is making sure they all stay intact.
“I would like to have things preserved so that if they would want to have any of these things, they would be worth having," Davis said.
Davis is one of several locals that have organized nightly prayer vigils for the 24-year-old Bills safety.
She said being a mother moved her to get involved.
“The mom," she said. "My heart broke for her, literally. And of course Damar. But, that mom, I wanted her to know that the people around her, even though it wasn’t her home team and her home turf, there were people here that cared and we were going to lift her up.”
Friday, the Bills shared on social media that Hamlin’s breathing tube was removed overnight and that he was able to speak. Hamlin even made a surprise appearance on a team Zoom call, telling his teammates “Love you Boys.”
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Hamlin was also making many hand gestures, including lots of heart hands.
Outside the medical center, fans like Davis are celebrating this news, believing it’s nothing short of a miracle.
“It just made me so happy!" Davis said. "And I’m so happy for his mom, so happy for him, I’m happy for the team, I’m happy for Buffalo, I’m happy for Cincinnati, I’m happy for football. I’m just happy that he’s going to be OK.”
There is community support from all across the city, indulging the youngest of fans. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor’s wife Sarah helped organize an effort to have students write get-well cards to Hamlin.
Students from kindergarten through sixth grade wrote letters to Hamlin wishing him a speedy recovery. Sarah Taylor was expected to come by the hospital Friday to hand deliver these very special cards to Hamlin.
