Damar Hamlin speaks with team after breathing tube removed 

As Damar Hamlin’s health has continued to improve, the Buffalo Bills announced that his breathing tube was removed overnight and he was able to virtually talk to his team on Friday. 

"Per the physicians at UCMC, Damar’s breathing tube was removed overnight. He continues to progress remarkably in his recovery," said a statement posted to Twitter by the team. 

"His neurologic function remains intact, and he has been able to talk to his family and care team."

Hamlin, a 24 year old Bills safety, suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

While the doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said that Hamlin was still considered “critically ill,” he has made “significant progress” and has been able to communicate by writing. 

“There has been substantial improvement in his condition in the last 24 hours. We had significant concern about him after the injury and after the event that happened on the field, but he is making substantial progress," Dr. Timothy Pritts said.

On Friday, Hamlin had a brief video call with the rest of his teammates, said Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott. 

"It was not a long interaction as you can imagine with his situation, but he made hand signals, hand gestures — the thing that makes me laugh is he did this to the guys right away, he flexed on them, I guess," McDermott said

"He’s just got some staple things that they know him for and that he does. And he made the heart symbol probably more than anything, and then he gave them a thumbs up. And somewhere in the midst of that, and it was a little bit hard to hear, but he said, 'I love you boys,' and, of course, I think that got the guys," he added.

Damar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches.

What he said to the team: “Love you boys.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8dorrWNaxt

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 6, 2023