Update from Damar Hamlin's uncle regarding the safety status of Buffalo Bills player Hamlin
In a heartening update, Damar Hamlin's uncle, Dorrian Glenn, shared positive news about the recovery of the Buffalo Bills safety. Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game at Paycor Stadium on January 2, 2023, has been sedated in the ICU at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Glenn, who has been awake for approximately 24 hours since the incident, reported that Hamlin has improved from requiring 100% oxygen to now being on 50%. This progress is a significant step forward in Hamlin's recovery journey.
Glenn drove from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati after the game was canceled to be by Hamlin's side. During his visit, he provided an update on Hamlin's condition to numerous news outlets, helping to uplift the spirits of Hamlin’s teammates and fans alike.
Hamlin was initially hospitalized with ventilation support and an ICU stay following his cardiac arrest. However, he was discharged from the hospital within about 9 days and did not require extended ventilator or ICU support afterward. This rapid recovery has been attributed to the outstanding work of the medical personnel treating Hamlin.
Since his discharge from the hospital, Hamlin has made a remarkable recovery. He resumed his NFL career by 2024, playing 14 games and re-signing with the Buffalo Bills for the 2025 season. Hamlin’s recovery progressed from hospital discharge, through physical contact practice in July 2025, to participation in preseason games by August 2025.
In addition to his return to the NFL, Hamlin has made public appearances, attended the Super Bowl, met with President Biden, and engaged in philanthropy inspired by his recovery. He also commemorated his survival and recovery with a symbolic tattoo reflecting the incident and his journey.
As Hamlin continues his recovery, the outpouring of love and support he has received during this difficult time has been "truly impressive" and "remarkable", according to Glenn. Seeing the amount of support Hamlin has received, including donations to his toy drive, has been a special opportunity for him.
The medical personnel treating Hamlin have been outstanding in aiding his recovery, and Glenn believes that Hamlin having a chance to come back and see all the love he received is a special opportunity. As Hamlin's recovery progresses, we can only hope for a full and speedy recovery for the talented safety.
Glenn shared updates about Hamlin's progress with sports news outlets, discussing his improved oxygen requirements and the significance of his recovery journey in American football. Despite initial concerns following his cardiac arrest, Hamlin returned to NFL sports in 2024 and even re-signed with the Buffalo Bills for the 2025 season, showcasing remarkable resilience in both his health and career.
