Following Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsing on the field during last week’s Monday Night Football, Rodney Thomas II is sending positive vibes to his childhood friend.
The Indianapolis Colts safety drove to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after the sudden cardiac event in order to be by his high school teammate’s side. According to the NFL player, he has “no doubt” his high school teammate will recover from the incident.
“I know he could hear me,” Thomas said, according to CNN. “Even if he couldn’t hear me, it didn’t matter. I said what I had to say.”
“It calmed me way down,” the Indianapolis Colts player continued. “It made the trip home a lot easier. I could go home and know he’s gonna be straight. I got him. We all got him. Everybody’s got him.”
Initially, the 24-year-old was showing limited signs of mobility, but his doctors confirmed that his neurological abilities remained intact. Due to athletic trainers, administering CPR quickly after the collapse, doctors believe their quick responses helped save Hamlin’s life and neurological functioning.
In a statement, the Hamlin gave their regards for the people like Thomas who have lent their support to the Bills player. “On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” the family wrote. “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.”
Emergency medicine professor discusses Damar Hamlin’s hospital release
As of this week, the NFL star proudly exited the Ohio-based hospital after being cleared by his medical team. “Mr. Hamlin has been released and returned to Buffalo. I traveled with him to the airport this morning with our UC Health air care and mobile care crew, including teammates who were with us on the field when Mr. Hamlin collapsed,” Dr. William Knight IV, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, said in a recent press conference.
The doctor added, “He has been up with physical therapy and occupational therapy, walking the unit, tolerating a regular diet, meeting with his family and many members of the care team that wanted to see how he was doing — all to get him to this point where he could be safely returned to Buffalo.”
On January 11, Hamlin has been given the okay to go home.
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