Football Player Awakens from Cardiac Arrest After 3 Days and Asks a Question

Buffalo Bills' Hamlin Collapses During Game
"Who Won?" Medical Staff Responds, "You Are the Winner"

On the 2nd (local time), Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, an American professional football team, collapsed due to cardiac arrest during the game but regained consciousness. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Damar Hamlin, a player for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL), who collapsed due to cardiac arrest during a game on the 2nd (local time), has awakened after three days.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press (AP), on the 5th (local time), Hamlin, who was able to communicate through writing, asked the medical staff his first question: "Who won the game?" The medical staff replied, "You did. You are the winner of the game called life."

At the time of the accident, Hamlin, a safety (defensive player), attempted a tackle on Cincinnati Bengals player Tee Higgins during the first quarter but suddenly collapsed after receiving a blow to his chest. Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest, was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation and immediately transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center but remained unconscious for three days. The game, in which the Cincinnati Bengals were leading 7-3, was stopped immediately after Hamlin collapsed.

After waking up, Hamlin was reportedly very surprised to learn that he had been unconscious for more than two days. His attending physician, Dr. William Knight IV, said, "The exact cause of Hamlin's cardiac arrest has not been determined," and added, "It is too early to determine whether he will fully recover and return as a professional football player." Hamlin is still hospitalized in the intensive care unit, receiving assistance from a ventilator.

News of Hamlin's awakening brought joy not only to fans but also to U.S. President Joe Biden. On the 6th, President Biden tweeted, "This is very good news. Damar, as I told your parents yesterday, Jill (the First Lady) and I, along with the entire United States, are praying for you and your family."

Additionally, many people wishing for Hamlin's recovery have contributed to the fundraising campaign for purchasing toys for children in need, organized by Hamlin's charity foundation 'Chasing M's' on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe. As of the morning of the 6th, the amount raised has far exceeded the initial goal of $2,500, reaching $7.74 million (approximately 9.856 billion KRW).

Meanwhile, the NFL office decided to cancel the Buffalo vs. Cincinnati game, which was suspended after Hamlin collapsed, without resuming it. The NFL playoffs feature 14 teams in total, with seven teams each from the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Buffalo and Cincinnati had already secured their playoff spots, with only ranking competition remaining.