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'Love you boys': Damar Hamlin FaceTimes Buffalo Bills team as doctors remove his breathing tube

Damar Hamlin continues to progress remarkably in his recovery after the cardiac arrest

CINCINNATI, OHIO: Damar Hamlin continues to make substantial progress after collapsing on the field. Hamlin, the second-year safety for the Buffalo Bills, had his breathing tube removed overnight, the team announced on Friday morning. Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after making a first-quarter tackle on Cincinnati Bengal's receiver Tee Higgins during the Monday night football at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium.

“He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery,” the Bills said in the statement. “His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team.” Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice on the field after Bill's assistant athletic trainer, Denny Kellington administered CPR on Damar restoring his heartbeat before he was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he stayed in the intensive care unit.

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"Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches. What he said to the team: “Love you, boys." Buffalo Bills shared in a Twitter post. Before this, they wrote, citing physicians, "Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar’s breathing tube was removed overnight. He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team."

“Denny is an assistant trainer,” Sean McDermott, the Bills coach, in his first media interaction said, “For an assistant to find himself in that position and needing to take the action he did and step up and take charge … is nothing short of amazing. And the courage that took. You talk about a real leader and a real hero saving Damar’s life. “I admire his strength", New York Daily reported. 

Moreover, Hamlin's father, Mario, informed the club on Wednesday that his son would like for them to redirect their attention back to Sunday's game with the New England Patriots, according to McDermott. “His message was the team needs to get back to focusing on the goals they set for themselves,” McDermott said.

“Damar would have wanted it that way. That includes our game against New England. And the news today was a big help in getting us back to focus on the game this weekend. To know that’s what he wants, that’s what his dad wants. I think guys are excited to get out there,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen told reporters, the outlet reported. The Bills are scheduled to host the Patriots on Sunday at Highmark Stadium, however,  the NFL has already announced that the league will not resume the Bills-Bengals game that was suspended after Hamlin collapsed.