Damar Hamlin spends third night in critical condition but ‘moving in positive direction’ after cardiac arrest on field
DAMAR Hamlin spent a third night in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field.
The Buffalo Bills star remained in ICU on Wednesday night - two days on from collapsing on an NFL field.
Bills safety Hamlin, 24, went into cardiac arrest on Monday during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin could initially stand before collapsing on the field, which caused medics and trainers to rush over and perform CPR.
Transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center shortly after, Hamlin remains in intensive care, where he is in a critical condition.
His representative spoke to NFL Network on Wednesday to provide an update on Damar's status.
Rooney said: "Right now things are moving in a positive direction.
"What the doctors were looking to see, I think they saw that.
"I can't speak specifically on it but things are moving in the right direction."
Damar's dad Mario held a video call with Bills players on Wednesday.
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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Mario told the team Damar is making progress.
Hamlin was put to sleep so a breathing tube could be inserted into his throat.
Prayers have flooded in from across the world for Hamlin during his fight for his life.
Fans also held a vigil for a second night running outside the hospital in Cincinnati.
While there were also tributes at the Bills' stadium back in Buffalo, New York.
Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas drove to Cincinnati to visit his childhood friend and former high school teammate.
'NEVER CRIED SO HARD IN MY LIFE'
Thomas said: "I had a goal. I knew where I was going, so I just got on the road and I just went. Laser-focused.
"I know he could hear me. Even if he couldn't hear me, it didn't matter. I said what I had to say."
Thomas added that seeing Hamlin "calmed me way down".
He continued: "It made the trip home a lot easier. I could go home and know he's gonna be straight, I got him. We all got him. Everybody's behind him.
"You see what's going on, everybody's behind him. And when he walks out of there and he sees the support he has, it's going to be a real special day."
Speaking to on Tuesday, Hamlin's uncle Dorrian Glenn explained how his nephew 'died on the field'.
Watching on from his home in Pittsburgh, Glenn admitted, "I'm not a crier, but I've never cried so hard in my life.
"Just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field, and they brought him back to life."
Glenn said that Hamlin "sustained some damage to his lungs, and they're working to try to remedy that, and they've got him on the ventilator to help with the breathing too, just to take some of the strain off his lungs so they can heal and recuperate."
Glenn also took the opportunity to thank the medical staff involved for their work, saying: "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."
'DEEPLY MOVED'
Earlier on Tuesday, Hamlin's family released an update: "On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time.
"We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.
"We also want to acknowledge the dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar.
"We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support."
Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor spoke with media on Wednesday after witnessing Hamlin's ordeal.
Taylor said: "We've always had a great deal of respect for them. I think that's grown much deeper, obviously, with what we've all seen transpire.
"So, certainly, we're pulling for Damar and hoping for the most positive outlook.
"When I got over there, the first thing he (Bills coach Sean McDermott) said was: 'I need to be at the hospital with Damar and I shouldn't be coaching this game.
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"I really felt Sean McDermott led in that moment for his players.
"He was there for his players, he processed it the right way, which was incredibly difficult and really helped us get to the solution that we needed to get to."
