The Buffalo Bills football team has provided an update on Damar Hamlin following his terrifying collapse.
On Monday, the 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety was in the midst of his team's game against the Cincinnati Bengals when he stood up from what appeared to be a routine tackle against Bengals' wide receiver Tee Higgins.
However, medical personnel rushed to the player's side after Hamlin suddenly became unsteady on his feet and collapsed. Ambulances arrived on the scene within five minutes, and CPR was administered before Hamlin was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Numerous medical professionals have theorized that the cardiac arrest could have been the result of a condition known as commotio cordis. According to UNC Healthcare, this condition occurs when a person experiences severe chest trauma, causing additional waves of electricity to pass through the heart muscle. These extra waves can throw off the normal heart rhythm, which can potentially be fatal.
Since Monday night's incident, it was revealed by Hamlin's uncle Dorrian Glenn that the NFL star had been resuscitated twice since his cardiac arrest. Speaking to CNN, Glenn said: "They were resuscitating him on the field before they brought him in the hospital and then resuscitated him a second time when he got to the hospital. I just want to show my gratitude for the medical staff that were on hand because if not for them, my nephew probably wouldn't even be here."
"I never cried so hard in my life," Glenn added. "Just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life. I mean, it's just heartbreaking."
Fortunately, the most recent update on Hamlin conveyed some good news.
"Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours," the message reads. "While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lung continue to heal and he is making steady progress."
"We are grateful for the love and support we have received," the message concluded.
The news comes less than 24 hours after it was reported that Hamlin's ventilator had been reduced from 100% to just 50%.
The NFL's medical staff were praised for their swift response to the terrifying ordeal, with NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allan Sills telling CNN that medical teams have a 60 minute pregame meeting to review the emergency medical action plan.
"It happens one hour before kickoff... and it involves everyone on the medical care team from both teams. So the team physicians, the athletic trainers, our independent personnel, which are our unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants, our airway doctors, our visiting team medical liaisons, the paramedics, the ambulance crew and the referee," Sills revealed.
"That whole crew of people gets together one hour before the game, and they review that emergency action plan, they talk specifically about locations of emergency equipment, who's going to lead if we have a cardiac arrest, how the chain of command will go," he explained.
We continue to wish Hamlin and his loved ones the very best at this time.
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