When the Buffalo Bills returned to practice Thursday, players held up 3’s and made hearts with their hands as they thought about their friend and teammate in a Cincinnati hospital. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
When Damar Hamlin finally spoke to them the next day via FaceTime, after having his breathing tube removed overnight, he needed just three words to reciprocate: \u201cLove you boys.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Players stood. they cheered. They called back in joy to Hamlin on the large screen in the team’s meeting room.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWe got our boy, man,\u201d left tackle Dion Dawkins later told reporters. \u201cIt’s all that matters. We got our boy. The excitement was beautiful. It was amazing. It has given us so much energy, so much bright, high spirits, whatever you want to call it. It is giving it to us. To see that boy’s face, to see him smile, see him (flex) in the camera, it was everything. And then to hear him talk to us, it was literally everything.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
People are also reading\u2026<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\u201cAnd that’s what we needed. Literally, that’s all we needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nIt was a call they needed since the moment the 24-year-old safety went into cardiac arrest on the field Monday night in Cincinnati and needed to be resuscitated on the field. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nHe was able to gradually wake up over Wednesday night from being sedated, to hold the hands of family and medical staff and to communicate in writing. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nIn an update Friday morning from the physicians at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the Bills said Hamlin \u201ccontinues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact, and he has been able to talk to his family and care team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThat family included his teammates, as coach Sean McDermott surprised Bills players and coaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cWe put Damar on the big screen,\u201d McDermott said. \u201cSo, he was larger than life in there for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cAnd that’s what we needed. Literally, that’s all we needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
It was a call they needed since the moment the 24-year-old safety went into cardiac arrest on the field Monday night in Cincinnati and needed to be resuscitated on the field. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
He was able to gradually wake up over Wednesday night from being sedated, to hold the hands of family and medical staff and to communicate in writing. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In an update Friday morning from the physicians at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the Bills said Hamlin \u201ccontinues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact, and he has been able to talk to his family and care team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
That family included his teammates, as coach Sean McDermott surprised Bills players and coaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWe put Damar on the big screen,\u201d McDermott said. \u201cSo, he was larger than life in there for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n