‘The love is felt’: Damar Hamlin thanks Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars for ‘coming together in prayer’ before their Saturday night AFC showdown, as he continues his recovery from cardiac arrest
Damar Hamlin tweeted his thanks to the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars as they put their rivalry aside Saturday night to pray for him before their big AFC South showdown.
The two teams gathered at midfield at TIAA Bank Field and took a moment to say a prayer for Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest playing for the Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Hamlin had previously posted on social media for the first time since the incident but was forced to speak out again, minutes after the scenes were seen.
‘Love is felt, and very real. Regardless of race or religion, everyone joins together in prayer!’ Hamlin wrote.
The Titans and Jaguars came together to pray for Hamlin before their game on Saturday
It prompted a second tweet of the night from Damar Hamlin, who was watching
The NFL itself shared footage of the teams coming together and wrote: ‘We’re all thinking of you, Damar.’
Last Saturday, the Chiefs played the Raiders in the first game since the Bills vs Bengals on Monday, rounding out an emotional week for the sport.
The Bills delivered a positive update on the 24-year-old Hamlin’s condition on Saturday, saying: ‘Per physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar continues to make progress in his recovery but remains in critical condition.
‘He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent.’
Before seeing the symbolic gesture from the Titans and Jaguars, Hamlin wrote on Instagram: ‘When you put true love out into the world, it comes back to you 3x.
‘The love is overwhelming but I am thankful for every person who prayed for me and reached out to me. We turned the world behind it.
If you know me, you know this is the only thing that makes me stronger. In a long way keep praying for me.’
Hamlin (No. 3) gets up briefly after making a tackle with Tee Higgins before collapsing in shocking scenes as the Buffalo Bills play the Cincinnati Bengals
Moments later Hamlin collapsed, falling backwards and motionless to the floor
The NFL will also show support for Hamlin at all Week 18 games, which begin Saturday afternoon, including a moment of support before the game, painting Hamlin’s No. 3 at the 30-yard line and pregame shirts with ‘Love for Damar 3.’ The Bills will also wear ‘3’ jersey patches.
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and his heart stopped Monday night after making what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first quarter against the Bengals.
The game was initially suspended before being officially canceled the following week.
The Bills plan to pay tribute to Hamlin and the first responders and medical staff who treated the player when they close out the season Sunday by hosting the New England Patriots.
