MIAMISBURG — Several Buffalo Bills fans gather a local sports bar in Miamisburg to cheer the Bills in their first game since Damar Hamlin collapsed Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
>>PHOTOS: Bills fans gather at Miamisburg sports bar to cheer team
Hamlin has been at UC Medical Center since his collapse. Doctors say he suffered a 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.
>>‘We all won;’ Damar Hamlin posts on social media following Bills win
News Center 7′s Brandon Lewis spoke with Bills Backers at Bennett’s Publical Family Sports Grill in Miamisburg. Some told him they hope today’s win will give the team a boost going into the playoffs.
“We’re here to root the Bills on,” said Carol Schmidt of Lebanon.
“I needed to come here today and be with my Bills fans and really come together for a great tribute to Damar,” Donna Reist told Lewis.
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The Bills defeated their AFC East division rival New England Patriots in Orchard Park, New York.
“Great outcome for Damar,” said Casey Davis, Buffalo Bills Backers of Dayton President. “We couldn’t have hoped for more.”
This was Buffalo’s first game since Hamlin’s cardiac arrest and collapse in Cincinnati.
“When this happened, the Buffalo fans kind of went into a daze,” said Randy Durkee. “It was like we were stunned, how could something else like this happen to Buffalo.”
“We were just all in shock,” Reist said. “The drive home from Cincinnati was just quiet.”
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘The love has been overwhelming;’ Damar Hamlin thankful for prayers in social media statement
Lewis says as Hamlin has been recovering, millions of dollars have poured into his GoFundMe toy drive and the Buffalo Bills Backers of Dayton have been collecting donations as well.
“Donations are still coming in but we’re well over $2,000,” said Davis. “We’re going to give 75% of it to Damar Hamlin’s charity and 25% to Tee Higgins.
It is just some of the good that’s come out of a scary situation with people coming together and throwing their support behind No. 3.
“I can not wait for the day that he walks out on the field and waves to all those fans and hears all those cheers live and know how loved he was and what he’s done to bring everybody together,” Reist told Lewis.
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘We’re just praying for him to walk out;’ Fans share elation for Damar Hamlin’s progress
Hamisik said the bond among Bengals and football fans has been incredible.
“The bond among Bengals and football fans across the world have just been,” he said. “The cries have been amazing and I think it’s really bonded people at a time that we need it more than ever.”
Davis told Lewis says there is more to life than football.
“Football, we love it and we’re excited for it,” he said.” But at the end of the day human life is more important and we’re still thrilled about Damar’s recovery.”
Lewis reports Davis will still be collecting donations this week. If you’d like to contribute, you can reach out on the Buffalo Bills Backers of Dayton Facebook Page.
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