Buffalo Bills reveal second tragedy as Damar Hamlin calls teammates from hospital bed
The Buffalo Bills have revealed a second tragedy has hit their team as more promising news emerges in the case of Damar Hamlin.
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Buffalo Bills players have been given a huge boost with Damar Hamlin joining a team meeting via Zoom from his hospital bed days after his midgame collapse rocked the NFL.
Head coach Sean McDermott told the team that he had a “treat in store” as the team meeting began, and said he could see the look on their faces in “anticipation of what was probably coming.”
When 24-year-old Hamlin appeared on the screen, players stood up and started clapping and yelled out in happiness.
Hamlin made hand signals and gestures — like a heart symbol — and flexed both biceps for his teammates.
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Sean McDermott recaps the uplifting call the @BuffaloBills received from Damar Hamlin earlier today. pic.twitter.com/l2eteeuesr
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2023
And somewhere in the middle of that, McDermott said Hamlin told his teammates, “I love you boys.”
“Probably won’t be able to do it justice, honestly, with the words,” McDermott said when asked about hearing Hamlin’s voice after the safety suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during Tuesday’s game (AEDT).
“Amazing. Touching.”
Assistant athletic trainer Tabani Richards, who is in Cincinnati with Hamlin, and director of team administration, Matt Worswick, helped co-ordinate the Zoom call, McDermott said.
They put Hamlin on the big screen in their meeting room so he was “larger than life in there for us.”
In addition to the heart symbol and “flexing on them,” Hamlin also gave Bills players a thumbs up.
It is the latest in a heartwarming string of positive developments for Hamlin. The Bills announced that Hamlin’s breathing tube was removed overnight.
He gradually awoke from a medically induced sedation Wednesday night and communicated in writing — first asking who won the game between Cincinnati and Buffalo.
His father, Mario, spoke to the Bills spoke to the Bills on Wednesday.
But actually seeing Hamlin’s face on the screen “with my own eyes” was something McDermott had looked forward to and needed, he said.
Then, he saw the reaction that unfolded across the room throughout the brief call.
“It was a pretty cool exchange for a few seconds there,” McDermott said.
Hamlin collapsed on the field against the Bengals on Monday night after tackling receiver Tee Higgins.
The second-year player had CPR administered on the field before being transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The Bills play the Patriots on Monday (AEDT) in their season finale.
Bills reveal second tragedy
Meanwhile, the Bills have announced their play-by-play commentator John Murphy suffered a stroke last weekend.
Murphy, 67, is recovering at home with his family after the health scare.
He has been the voice of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network for 20 years.
The Bills released a statement on Friday confirming the news at the end of an emotional week.
A statement from the Murphy family: pic.twitter.com/zkdbKto0xX
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 6, 2023
It read: “John Murphy suffered a stroke last weekend. He is recovering at home with his family and making progress every day.
“John and the Murphy family are grateful for the excellent care by the staff and doctors at Buffalo General Medical Center.
“We appreciate everyone’s support.”
Originally published as Buffalo Bills reveal second tragedy as Damar Hamlin calls teammates from hospital bed
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