Damar Hamlin Has Made His First Comments After Harrowing On Field Incident, And He…..

Since collapsing on the field on national television, Damar Hamlin, an NFL player who is now currently recovering from a cardiac arrest, has made his first public comment.

The 24-year-old made a statement on Instagram for the first time after going into cardiac arrest during an NFL game on January 2. Hamlin was playing for the Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals when they collided. Hamlin was struck in the upper chest region. He was taken to the hospital right away and spent a few days there in critical condition.

The incident has received widespread attention, and supporters and other athletes have united in prayer for Hamlin’s recovery. And while he was recovering, the NFL athlete also thanked the supporters who prayed for him in a statement that was posted on Saturday.

a beautiful moment for Damar Hamlin pic.twitter.com/i69GVFf53u

— Jenna Harner (@JennaHarner11) January 8, 2023

This warms my heart! @DanOrlovsky7, @ESPN analyst & former football player, cared enough for Damar Hamlin to pray for him right there on national TV. He wasn’t afraid to say “I believe in prayer!” I do too Dan—thanks for setting an example for others to follow. pic.twitter.com/OwdagAsdtT

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) January 4, 2023

“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much. The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out,” Damar Hamlin said in the statement.

“If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!” he added of his personal health.

Many of Hamlin‘s followers have contributed to his GoFundMe Christmas toy campaign, which he started in 2020 when he was still a student at the University of Pittsburgh, in order to show their love.

The organization has received more than $8 million as of Sunday morning, far exceeding its initially stated $2,500 goal.

Hamlin’s medical team said on Friday that he can now breathe on his own and has exhibited no symptoms of neurological damage, while he still in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

BREAKING: Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapses on field after making tackle LIVE on Monday Night Football and received CPR #hamlin pic.twitter.com/PDpQKIWERk

— Matthew Miller Skow (@SkowMatthew) January 3, 2023

Medical personnel had to deploy a defibrillator after performing CPR on Hamlin for more than nine minutes, during the “Monday Night Football” game where he collapsed on the field after tackling Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. He stood up after the tackle but then fell on his back seconds later.

And when Hamlin woke up at the hospital, some of his first words were “Did we win?” one of his physicians, Dr. Timothy Pritts, said in which he said, “Yes, Damar, you won. You’ve won the game of life,” as a response.

The 24-year-old also shared a picture of himself creating a heart emoji with his hands while lying in bed in the hospital. Hamlin expressed his desire to “run out of that tunnel with my brothers” in another video upload. While the Bills claim that on Friday, Hamlin FaceTimed them and talked to his teammates and coaches. Hamlin reportedly told his team, “Love you boys.”