‘The love has been overwhelming;’ Damar Hamlin thankful for prayers in social media statement

CINCINNATI — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin posted statements on his social media accounts thanking everyone for their prayers since his collapse at Paycor Stadium Monday night when the Bills were playing the Cincinnati Bengals.

>>Damar Hamlin making ‘continued progress’, breathing on his own, team says

“When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” he said on his Instagram account. “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!” 3️⃣ #3strong

Hamlin also released a statement on his Twitter account, @HamlinIsland.

“Putting love into the world comes back 3xs as much... thankful for everyone who has reached out and prayed,” he wrote. “This will make me stronger on the road to recovery, keep praying for me!”

Hamlin has been at University of Cincinnati Medical Center since his collapse Monday. Doctors say he suffered cardiac arrest on the field and needed both CPR and defibrillation by team doctors.

The Bills said Hamlin is making continued progress in his recovery but remains in critical condition, in a post on the team’s social media account.

“He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent,” the team said.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘We’re just praying for him to walk out;’ Fans share elation for Damar Hamlin’s progress

Both the Bills and Bengals play their first game Sunday since the game between the two teams Monday night was canceled following Hamlin’s collapse and will not be made up, the NFL said.

Buffalo hosts New England in Orchard Park, New York while Cincinnati will play Baltimore at Paycor Stadium.

The Bengals game will be televised on Channel 7.

Kickoff for both teams is at 1 p.m.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘You won the game of life,’ doctor tells Damar Hamlin, who’s making ‘substantial improvement’

>>PHOTOS: ‘We’re just praying for him to walk out;’ Fans share elation for Damar Hamlin’s progress

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A post shared by DaⓂ️ar Hamlin <3 (@d.ham3)

Putting love into the world comes back 3xs as much… thankful for everyone who has reached out and prayed. This will make me stronger on the road to recovery, keep praying for me! 🫶🏾3️⃣
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 7, 2023