Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin faces 'long road to recovery' after cardiac arrest: Dr. Nicole Saphier
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier shares her prognosis for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin after he suffered cardiac arrest on-field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
A representative for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin reportedly offered an update Wednesday on the player’s health as he remained in the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following a medical emergency.
Doctors at the hospital got "promising readings that they had been hoping to see," ESPN reported, citing Jordon Rooney and the Hamlin family. Rooney reportedly added that it appeared "progress" was made. Hamlin was still in the ICU sedated and considered to be in critical condition.
Rooney also clarified to the outlet that Hamlin needed to be resuscitated only once — at Paycor Stadium. Dorian Glenn, Hamlin's uncle, told CNN on Tuesday night that Hamlin's heart needed to be restarted for a second time.
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Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday in Orchard Park, New York. Hamlin collapsed Monday while going into cardiac arrest after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the team's NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. Hamlin was sedated and in critical condition Tuesday. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Rooney also cautioned that Hamlin still had a "long way to go in his recovery" but the family was optimistic.
"They are elated right now," he added to the Associated Press. "Damar is still their first concern. But for them, they always look at how they can turn a somewhat troubling situation into a good one. The bounce back from this, for him and his family is going to be incredible."
Rooney has said he is Hamlin's friend and marketing rep. He released a statement on behalf of the family on Tuesday afternoon. It is unclear how close he is in touch with the medical doctors working on the player.
Glenn talked to the NFL Network on Tuesday night and offered more optimism on Hamlin’s condition. He said Hamlin improved to 50% oxygen on a ventilator.
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest at 8:55 p.m. during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after making a tackle on Tee Higgins. Medical staff performed CPR for nine minutes on the field before he was taken to a local hospital.
A poster is attached to a fence outside of University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
"I’m really, really thankful for the medical staff that’s been working with him," Glenn said of the "heartbreaking" events. "They’ve been truly awesome and helping him with his recovery. It was a really, truly scary scene to witness that yesterday, as everyone in the country probably can agree with. I would have felt the way I felt no matter who it was, but for it to be my nephew, man, it was especially more of a gut punch to see that. I’m thankful that he’s still here, he’s still alive, and he’s still fighting. We’re just taking it day by day and continue to let the medical staff do what they do."
Hamlin’s family released a statement on Tuesday expressing "sincere gratitude" for the outpouring of support they received amid a "challenging time" for the family.
"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," the statement read.
The media world was stunned on Monday night when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
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The game between the Bills and the Bengals was postponed.
Fox News' Ryan Morik contributed to this report.