'YOU WON THE GAME OF LIFE'
Damar Hamlin asked who won the game as he woke up and is gripping hands of family after ‘remarkable improvement’
DAMAR HAMLIN asked doctors who won the game as he woke up after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The Buffalo Bills safety has been slowly woken after three nights in an ICU in Cincinnati.
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Hamlin collapsed early during Monday's game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
And doctors on Thursday said he communicated via writing on a notepad as he had a breathing tube still in.
Teammate Kaiir Elam announced on Twitter on Thursday morning that: "Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement."
NFL Media reporter Ian Rapoport added that he "has been gripping the hands of those close to him."
University of Cincinnati medical staff said on Thursday that Hamlin wanted to know the outcome of the game.
And doctors told him: "You won the game of life.”
'TURNING POINT'
Dr Timothy Pritts said: "There has been substantial improvement in his condition over the past 24 hours.
"We had significant concern over him after the injury but he has made substantial progress.
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"As of this morning he has began to awaken and it appears this his neurological condition and function is intact.
"He continues to be critically ill and continues to undergo intensive care. He still has some progress he needs to make but this marks a really good turning point in his care."
The doctor added: "It’s not only that the lights are on. We know he’s home.”
Hamlin is able to move his hands and feet and the next step is to get him breathing on his own, doctors said.
The Bills star received one round of defibrillation and one round of CPR.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen praised coach Sean McDermott for his handling of the situation.
Allen said: "The way he handled it - he was the perfect man to handle that type of situation.
"I can't say enough about what he did and said to us in the locker room. It was obviously a dire circumstance that nobody is expecting and ready for.
"I want to thank our training staff for going out there, working through a checklist and saving his life.
"Being on that field, you lose sleep, you hurt for your brother. The scene just replays over and over in your head.
"Some people are going to be changed forever after being on the field and witnessing that and feeling those emotions."
'NEUROLOGICALLY INTACT'
Damar's dad Mario Hamlin spoke to the Buffalo Bills via video call on Wednesday.
Allen revealed: “His dad said the first thing he’s gonna ask when he wakes up is who won the game. And sure enough, that’s what he did.”
Coach McDermott added: "Damar's father spoke to the team and his message was the team needed to get back to the goals it set for itself.
"Damar would've wanted it that way.
"That has helped and the news today was a huge help to get us back to focused on the game this weekend."
Buffalo face the New England Patriots in their week 18 clash on Sunday.
The Buffalo Bills released a statement earlier on Thursday morning.
The team announced that Hamlin is still "critically ill" but he is "neurologically intact."
The statement read: "Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours.
"While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact.
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"His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress.
"We are grateful for the love and the support we have received."
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