Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam has broken his silence to give a hopeful update on teammate Damar Hamlin.
Elam said the second-year pro is now “awake and showing more signs of improvement.”
In a post on social media, Elam said: “Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement.
“Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!”
NFL reporter Ian Rapoport said: “Damar Hamlin opened his eyes last night and is responsive.
“Truly incredible. Damar Hamlin has been gripping the hands of those close to him.
“Another very positive sign.”
CNN reporter Omar Jimenez confirmed the news saying: “Damar Hamlin is awake and has been holding hands with family in the hospital, his agent tells CNN.”
The Buffalo Bills said Hamlin is neurologically intact: “Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours.
“He has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact, and he is making steady progress.”
“The phrase ‘neurologically intact’ refers to a person who is “moving their extremities with some form of purpose, and if they’re able to understand basic commands,” a cardiologist who is not treating Hamlin told ESPN’s Coley Harvey.
Hamlin’s father, Mario, reportedly addressed the Bills in a Zoom call Wednesday to offer an update on his son, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mario Hamlin informed the Bills that his son was making progress and, in the words of one source, “the team needed it.”
According to NBC:
“The Bills’ statement ‘is a really good sign,’ said Dr. Todd Rice, director of the medical intensive care unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
“Rice has not been involved in Hamlin’s care.
“Usually by this point, Rice said, doctors are looking for any indication that the patient’s neurological function remains intact and the patient is responsive to basic verbal commands.”
Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement. Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!
— Kaiir Elam (@kaiirelam5) January 5, 2023
Damar Hamlin has been gripping the hands of those close to him. Another very positive sign. https://t.co/GpabbnqTWm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2023
JUST IN: Bills safety Damar Hamlin is awake and holding hands with his family.
Great news!
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 5, 2023
