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Alaina GetzenbergESPN
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin visited the team’s facility Saturday just days after being discharged from the hospital.
Bills linebacker Matt Milano posted a photo of Hamlin on his Instagram story taken at the team’s facility. ESPN/ABC sources confirmed multiple reports that Hamlin visited the team Saturday.
Brooke Kromer, daughter of Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, also tweeted about seeing Hamlin at the facility.
“I saw Damar today & bawled my eyes out! What a miracle to see him walking,” Kromer tweeted. She also tweeted that he was at practice.
“Obviously grateful first and foremost that he’s home and with his parents and his brother, which is great,” coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday. “I’m sure it has felt like a long time since he’s been able to be home. I’m sure it’s a great feeling and, we’ll leave it up to him. His health is first and foremost on our mind as far as his situation goes, and then when he feels ready, we welcome him back as he feels ready.”
Hamlin, 24, was released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Monday after spending almost a week at the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during the first quarter of a “Monday Night Football” game between the Bills and the Bengals. The game was initially postponed after Hamlin collapsed on the field. It was then canceled days later.
Hamlin was flown to Buffalo and admitted to Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, where he spent two days. He went through a series of comprehensive medical evaluations as well as cardiac, neurological and vascular testing Tuesday.
“I know some guys were chomping at the bit to go see them, but against doctor’s orders, just making sure that he’s getting his rest from recovery and taking it slow, and obviously just trying to trying to get back to being himself,” quarterback Josh Allen said Wednesday. “So, we’ll take all the time that we need. But I hope he knows the guys are ready to see him.”
In the days after he suffered cardiac arrest, Hamlin received support from all over the world with millions of dollars being donated to his GoFundMe toy drive as part of his Chasing M’s Foundation. The 2021 sixth-round pick out of Pittsburgh has prioritized giving back to his community in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, and in Pittsburgh, and being an example for kids there.
Hamlin has also started selling T-shirts with his hands forming his now-signature heart symbol and the words “Did we win?,” the first question he asked via writing when he woke up. All proceeds from the shirts are going to first responders and the University of Cincinnati trauma center.
“It’s a blessing, you know?,” left tackle Dion Dawkins said on Hamlin returning home. “Like that just shows the type of kid that he is, that he’s fought and he’s continuing to win. There’s no place that he would like rather be than in his own bed so blessings to him.”
The Bills will begin their postseason against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
The Associated Press contributed to this story.