Cincinnati doctors reveal first words with Damar Hamlin: 'You won the game of life'

Some positive updates regarding the condition of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin have begun to trickle out on Thursday, with doctors relaying that Hamlin has begun to rouse after being sedated following his cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football. Hamlin has been in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center since late Monday night.

Still intubated, Hamlin has been unable to speak with his care team or family, but has been able to communicate via writing. He apparently asked who won the game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.

“When he asked ‘Did we win?’ The answer is, ‘Yes, Damar. You won. You won the game of life,'” Dr. Timothy Pritts of UC Medicine said.

Doctors said Damar Hamlin was able to communicate through writing and asked them "who won the game?"

They answered: "You won the game of life."pic.twitter.com/M9HVjtE5D1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 5, 2023

Pritts, speaking to CBS Sports, shared that anecdote and the overall state of things — and how the priority remains a good healthcare outcome for Hamlin.

“And that’s probably the most important thing out of this, and we really need to keep him in the center of everything else that’s going on. And we really want to ensure a good outcome for him,” Pritts said of Hamlin.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added some more context from Pritts.

“He’s made substantial improvement. It appears his neurological condition and function is intact. We are very proud to report that. … This marks a really good turning point in his ongoing care,” Pritts said, according to Rapoport.

Dr. William Knight also shared another tidbit relayed by Rapoport. Hamlin originally had a pulse after the hit and then lost it once surrounded by medical personnel. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer shared that Bills assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington was the staffer administering CPR on Hamlin.

It was relayed via Rapoport and other reports that the best-case outcome is Hamlin will more or less be back to his usual self. According to a number of reports, there was no long-term cognitive damage.

Hamlin, as evidence by the writing and a few other actions, has also maintained motor control. When asked if Hamlin held anybody’s hand, doctors had a touching response.

“He’s held many people’s hands.”