A doctor with the NFL Players Association on Wednesday guaranteed Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin would “play professional football again” after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game last month.
Dr. Thom Mayer, medical director of the NFL Players Association, said Hamlin’s prognosis looks very positive after he collapsed on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2. Emergency personnel administered CPR before he was transported to a hospital.
“I guarantee you that Damar Hamlin will play professional football again,” Mayer told a caller during his appearance on SiriusXM Doctor Radio’s “Heart to Heart” program.
According to Sports Illustrated, Dr. Mayer “spent time with Hamlin while he recovered … in Cincinnati last month.”
NFL Players Assn @NFLPA Medical Director Dr. Thom Mayer tells a caller on Doctor Radio's Heart-to-Heart show, hosted by Dr. Fred Feit @SIRIUSXM ch. 110 – he "guarantees" #DamarHamlin will return to pro #football @NFL #SuperBowl #medtwitter Click to stream: https://t.co/KRIof07VlJ pic.twitter.com/Wa2ORgEG8E
— Doctor Radio (@NYUDocs) February 8, 2023
Hamlin was released from the hospital after nine days. He then shocked fans when he showed up at a Bills playoff game on January 22. On January 28, Hamlin shared a lengthy post on Instagram thanking everyone for their prayers and support.
“Now that my brothers have closed out a strong winning season, and I continue to make so much progress recovering, I think it’s finally a good time to share a few things,” Hamlin said. “I think it was important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time as it was just a lot to process within my own self, mentally, physically, even spiritually.”
“What happened to me on Monday Night Football was a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world,” he added. “And I’m able to give it back to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most. And that’s always been my dream, that’s always been what I’ve stood for and I will continue to stand for.”
“While I’m so thankful to everybody, I know that it isn’t enough just to be thankful,” Hamlin continued. “This is just the beginning of the impact that I wanted to have on the world, and with God’s guidance I will continue to do wonderful and great things.”
Related: Doctors Say Damar Hamlin ‘Set Every Alarm Off In The ICU’ While Watching His Team Play