Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin cheered on his teammates, who paid tribute to him on the field, from his hospital bed as they played their first game since he suffered a cardiac arrest.
On the afternoon of Jan. 8, six days after the 24-year-old was hospitalized in Cincinnati following his medical emergency and hours before his team took on the New England Patriots, the NFL star wrote on his Instagram, "It's GameDay & There's Nothing I Want More Than To Be Running Out That Tunnel With My Brothers.. God Using Me In A Different Way Today! Tell Someone You Love Them Today!"
The Bills entered the field at their Highmark Stadium wearing patches with his number three on their jerseys, and some players carried flags printed with the words "Pray for Damar." "They always say, don't play for the name on the back, you play for the name on the front," Bills quarterback Josh Allen told his teammates before they ran out. "It's pretty special we play for that [expletive] number on our front, too."
Before the national anthem was performed, the crowd, many also wearing tribute apparel, cheered for Hamlin. "Today we celebrate Damar's recovery," the Bills tweeted, "our love for Damar, and our gratitude!"
Just before kickoff, Hamlin shared a photo of himself in his hospital bed. The athlete, who is seen wearing a "Love for Damar" jersey, wrote, "GAMETIME @buffalobills LFG!!!!!!"
He soon tweeted, "OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and "FREE HINES @TheNyNy7" in celebration of Bills player Nyheim Hines giving their team a 7-0 lead by running the opening kickoff 96 yards to score a touchdown.
Later, Hamlin wrote on Twitter, "I love you too @dawson_knox," referring to Bills tight end Dawson Knox, who also scored a touchdown.
Ultimately, the Bills beat the Patriots 35-23.
The Bills have rallied behind Hamlin since he collapsed on the field during their Jan. 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. At the time, Hamlin was hospitalized for cardiac arrest. On Jan. 6, the athlete surprised his team by speaking to them in a video call in their locker room, telling them, "I love you boys," head coach Sean McDermott relayed to reporters. That day, Knox tweeted, "Never underestimate the power of prayer!!!"
On Jan. 7, the Bills said in a statement that "per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition. He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent."
Later that day, Hamlin made his first public comments since his hospitalization, sharing an Instagram post that read, "When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x's as much.. The Love has been overwhelming, but I'm thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me! #3strong"
He also shared on his Instagram Stories a screenshot of a video call, captioning the post, "Back Working Back Smiling!!!"
The Bills were not the only team paying tribute to Hamlin during the NFL's Jan. 8 games. See how the league honored him below:
On Jan. 2, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest while playing a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. On Jan. 8, he cheered on his team as they played first game since the medical emergency. The Bills honored him on the field, as did other NFL teams elsewhere.
The Buffalo Bills quarterback wears the number 3 in support of Hamlin during practice before the team's game against the New England Patriots in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The official signs autographs for fans on their signs bearing the number 3 in support of Hamlin before the Buffalo Bills' game against the New England Patriots in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers kneel in prayer for Hamlin before their game in Pittsburgh.
A fan holds up a shirt in support of Hamlin prior the game between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts stand together in silence in support of Hamlin prior to the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Lovie Smith wears a shirt supporting Hamlin as he watched his team play against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis.