Just chatted with Damar Hamlin’s family friend
@jordonr
.
Per Jordon and Damar’s family, doctors overnight got promising readings that they had been hoping to see by this morning. Jordon couldn’t go into specifics, but progress appears to be made.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott says that when the Bills were told today that coaches had a surprise for them, they could see the look in their eyes of some level of excitement ...
Exactly one week after she turned 100, Rachel Robinson — with help from son David — cut the ribbon during the ceremonial opening of her late husband’s museum in Manhattan. The Jackie Robinson Museum is finally open.
Can confirm Damar Hamlin has been gripping the hands of his family members. Also told we will hear nothing from the family at the moment as they are still processing these developments.
Just spoke to a rep from University of Cincinnati Medical Center who says the hospital does NOT anticipate giving an update tonight on Damar Hamlin’s status.
This is Andrew. A Bills fan from Western New York. He came to Cincinnati to attend last night’s game. He’s about to get on the road to drive back home.
Said he had to come, kneel and pray. He told me he’s currently feeling “lost and shocked” as he awaits news on Damar Hamlin.
Then, per Sean McDermott, Damar Hamlin popped up on the screen in the team meeting room. He flexed both biceps right away and did his now famous 🫶sign. Then he said: "Love you, boys." And they got a little emotional.
Left University of Cincinnati Medical Center a few moments ago. Very classy gesture from the
@Bengals
, who’ve lit Paycor Stadium in the
@BuffaloBills
’ blue and white for Damar Hamlin.
Josh Naylor was a good sport re: his Yankee Stadium reception:
"That was so sick. That was honestly like a dream come true as a kid; playing in an environment like this where they've got diehard fans, it's cool ... The fact I got that going thru the whole stadium, that was sick"
UC Health doctors say that last night is when Damar Hamlin first became awake again. He responded to questions, and even asked who won the game, per doctors.
McDermott said that as he was driving into work today he was listening to a Country station on Sirius XM and who were the hosts talking about? Denny Kellington ... the Bills' assistant athletic trainer who administered CPR so quickly Monday. McDermott told Kellington about it
McDermott adds that this is a reminder of how real all of this players are. "They're real people dealing with real life issues and challenges ... when you have to go to the hospital with a player's family, it's another reminder this player comes from a mom and his dad"
If Clint Frazier can hit a second-deck bomb while wearing a mask, we can all wear them in our every day lives. This was just a tweet to say
#wearyourmask
Will have much more on
@espn
throughout the morning/day. (We recorded an interview) But two other comments to look for from him: Damar’s father is among those calling for any criticisms of Bengals WR Tee Higgins (who was part of the play Damar was injured on) to STOP.
Just spoke with Damar Hamlin’s uncle, Dorrian Glenn. Will be sharing more on
@SportsCenter
shortly. He was watching the game from the family’s hometown, Pittsburgh. As soon as the family watched, they drove down to Cincinnati.
UC Health doctors announce that Damar Hamlin has been released and returned to Buffalo. He was flown out from Cincinnati today and has landed in Buffalo.
In describing how Bills staff was able to get the FaceTime with Damar Hamlin on the video screen in the team meeting room today, McDermott said: "He was larger than life in there for us."
Just referenced this on First Take, but had a chance to speak with a cardiologist (who is NOT treating Damar Hamlin) to get context on how important that “neurologically intact” phrase in the Bills’ statement is.
Have been told University of Cincinnati Medical Center and the Bills have been working on ways for Damar Hamlin to watch today’s Bills/Patriots game. At the moment, it’s quite likely he will get to watch his teammates play from the hospital.
Also, learned that later tonight,
@TheRealJeffRuby
is catering a meal at the hospital for the family. The gestures the family has received in Cincinnati reminds them of what they’ve gotten in Buffalo.
“Don’t forget we’re humans and life is about making mistakes.”
-Jose Altuve
(... not sure I’d equate an elaborate, carefully thought-out, potentially years-operating cheating operation to a simple accident)🤔
He told me he would only use that term if someone was “moving their extremities with some form of purpose, and if they’re able to understand basic commands.”
The fact we now know Damar Hamlin has been gripping the hands of his loved ones appears to be a sign of that.
Want to be sure I reiterate that although a small, hopeful step appears to have been made, Jordon did mention that Damar still has a long way to go in his recovery. But the family’s optimism remains high and steady as it’s been throughout all of this.
Jordon also clarified (on behalf of the family) that there may have been some miscommunications in terms of the number of times Damar Hamlin was resuscitated. There was only one instance at Paycor Stadium.
Moments ago, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Saw him as he was leaving. Cincinnati Enquirer photog
@AlbertCesare
caught this image of Taylor
That Bills news conference made me unbelievably emotional. This is such a memorable day for those of us who consider sports our refuge.
Actually, scratch that. This is a memorable day for all of us.
The ambulance that took Damar Hamlin off the field is associated with the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma hospital that's about 2 miles from Paycor Stadium.
One part of Brittney Griner’s release we must acknowledge: the constant efforts of WNBA players in continually pushing the Biden administration to simply get her home; from Day 1 to Day 294.
"The reason we're talking about his neurologic function is the immediate access to good CPR and good defibrillation." UC Health doctors have been heaping deserved praise on the Bills training staff for recognizing what was happening in the moment.
I’m currently outside of University of Cincinnati Medical Center. As you can imagine, there is very little information coming out right now about Damar Hamlin other than the NFL’s statement.
I don’t really have the proper words for this tweet, but did want to acknowledge those who have messaged me about ESPN’s coverage from Cincinnati this week. I’ve shied away from you. But know: I am humbled to see many of you felt a deep connection to this because of our work.
Another promising update from Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City … After treating 12 patients following Wednesday’s shooting, as of this morning, only 1 patient remains at the hospital. All others have been discharged.
Gleyber Torres was the one who hit the record-setting 265th homer, sending it into the Red Sox bullpen.
That homer, Torres' 24th, also means the Yankees have hit 20 homers or more from every single spot in the batting order. (They had 19 from the No. 9 spot until now)
Good for Steve Cohen quickly firing Jared Porter, but now front offices, scouting departments, et al all across the sports world now need to do the following:
Evaluate the people you employ.
Listen to women.
Believe women.
Harbor safer environments for women.
Be better.
Miguel Andújar just loudly banged a homer off the landing area beyond the left-field fence in BP. Shouted one fan: “That’s right. We don’t need Machado. Let’s go.”
As an emotional Stefon Diggs told me: “This is all so messed up … we just had to be here for our teammate.” Diggs desperately was trying to tell the officer that he was Hamlin’s teammate and needed to be inside.
Incredible scene plays out on ESPN. Bills WR Stefon Diggs walking towards the UC Medical Center to go try to see Damar Hamlin. ESPN reporter
@ColeyHarvey
explains Diggs was initially stopped by a cop, who let him go in after he explained who he was. Harvey had to vouch for Diggs
Wow. At a real loss for words. Truly humbled reading this from a Hall of Famer who wrote the book on treating athletes with humanity and class. Claire, I thank you and I love you🙏🏾
I cannot say enough about the reporting efforts of
@ESPN
’s
@ColeyHarvey
as he’s covered
@HamlinIsland
since thr DB collapsed during
#MNF
. Coley is still out there, showing how it’s done, with intelligence, dilligence and respect. All young journalists, watch, listen, learn.
Luke Voit just took a 91.4 mph fastball off the chin (it glanced off his left shoulder a nanosecond before) ... and, for now, HE STAYED IN THE GAME.
#savageryinthebox
Some encouraging signs for Damar Hamlin and his family overnight and into today. Here’s our live shot in tonight’s 6pm
@SportsCenter
highlighting what felt like a slight change in mood, for the better, around the hospital.
Just spoke to a member of Damar Hamlin’s family. They are all “ecstatic” by today’s wonderful development. I’m told after Damar was discharged from the hospital this morning he was on his way to his apartment here in Buffalo.
For the first time this season, a road team has recognized CC Sabathia in his farewell tour. Fittingly, this first recognition comes just down the road from where the Vallejo, Calif. native grew up.
Doctors are clarifying that he did not speak, but was communicating with a pen in writing. And they answered Damar: "Yes, you won. You won at the game of life"
Yankees fans, hope you enjoy this. As the Bombers open a weekend series in St. Louis tonight, I sat down with one of your favorite mustached men to discuss his journey to the Bronx after years playing in St. Louis. Here’s Matt Carpenter:
Demaryius Thomas wasn’t only Peyton Manning’s most-targeted Broncos WR, he was also a friend. So when his friend died last December, Manning told Thomas’ alma mater he wanted to help.
Here’s our
@SportsCenter
piece on how he did that this 8/8 Day:
Glenn said his nephew had to be resuscitated twice. Once on the field at Paycor Stadium, once after he arrived at the hospital. There is a concern of lung damage, Glenn said.
Naylor said he did see Gleyber Torres' post-game "Rock the Baby" at second base. Smiled, said he had no issue with it, adding: "I mean, you do what you’ve got to do. Better win it all. Do what you’ve got to do."
We’re back at University if Cincinnati Medical Center, providing updates on Damar Hamlin’s status on
@SportsCenter
in moments. Let’s hope the improvements for him continue today.
Missed the brawl at the end, but long before it, that Browns-Steelers game had an uncomfortable tension that reminded me of a certain night in Cincinnati in January 2016.
According to Elias, these are the only three Yankees in franchise history to have made it to two All-Star Games before turning 23:
Joe DiMaggio
Mickey Mantle
Gleyber Torres
Dad got to blow out 70 candles today. So naturally, the kid had to come home and take him to a playoff game.
Our first postseason game together at home since … Leyritz.
Doctors say Damar Hamlin has "held a lot of people's hands." Even held one of theirs, they said. They also said the first person he was able to interact with was his bedside nurse.
Three physicians from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center are going to address media about Damar Hamlin in a virtual call in 10 minutes. We’ll pass along updates from them. The NFL Players Association is also holding its own session with reporters later this afternoon.
The quick thinking by the Bills training staff and the well-equipped Paycor Stadium/Bengals training staff not only saved Damar Hamlin's life, UC Health doctors say, but also saved his neurologic function.
Doctors say it's truly too early to have the conversation about Damar Hamlin's future in football. They do say the next big milestone they're pushing for is getting Damar to breathe on his own.
Bills GM Brandon Beane on Damar Hamlin's parents: "Being around Mario and Nina these last few days,they should put a handbook together of going through a life-threatening situation with your child ... I don't think I could have handled it with the same strength if it were my son"
For this morning’s
@SportsCenter
:
We often latch onto THE pivotal moment certain athletes truly arrive on the scene for their teams. With his unexpected third-quarter entry to lead the Dolphins to last night’s win, Tua Tagovailoa had his Miami Moment. Here’s “Tua’s Time.”
Bills GM Brandon Beane on what he expects the scene in Buffalo to be for Sunday's game:
"A celebration of life -- a celebration of ongoing life ... Going to be a great scene. If you've got a ticket to be part of that atmosphere? The hair on the back of my neck is standing up"
Bills asst athletic trainer Denny Kellington (who Damar Hamlin considers the "savior of my life") is the keynote speaker for commencement exercises today at his alma mater Oklahoma State.
Kellington said he's shied away from speaking publicly since Jan. 2. But told grads this:
Glenn also was very complementary of doctors here at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and the outpouring of support his family has received from the city of Cincinnati.
April has arrived. Here's an updated Yankees IL tally to go with it:
--Jacoby Ellsbury
--Jordan Montgomery
--Didi Gregorius
--Luis Severino
--Ben Heller
--Dellin Betances
--CC Sabathia
--Aaron Hicks
--Giancarlo Stanton
--Miguel Andujar
Adam Ottavino just struck out all four batters he faced in today’s sim game (Torres, Voit, Wade-twice). This K of Gleyber Torres was incredibly filthy.
Mentioned this last hour on
@SportsCenter
. Spoke briefly with one of Damar Hamlin’s relatives this morning. Hope to hear more later. The family is “elated” to see the progress he’s made in recent days, but is still very much remaining patient through this recovery.
Reporter to Aaron Hicks: “How long did it take you to get over the ALDS?”
Hicks: “I’m still not over it. I’m not over it until we win ... I want to win a World Series. Im tired of losing. We’ve come so close, but I’m tired of saying we came close.”
It’s truly amazing to know that even in this hour, this family is focused on making sure its larger Bills family is being taken care of, too. Great news.
Damar Hamlin’s father, Mario Hamlin, addressed the entire Bills team on a zoom call Wednesday to personally update everyone in attendance on his son, per source. Mario Hamlin informed the Bills that Damar was making progress and, in the words of one source, “the team needed it.”
Aroldis Chapman calls the report he wants to opt out of his Yankees contract after this year “completely false.” Adds: “the truth is, honestly, I feel great here.”
Couple cool items about Baker Mayfield's Heisman victory:
--First walk-on to win (there were no walk ons in the NCAA until 1950)
--First player to win after directly transferring from another school since Doc Blanchard did it in 1945
--First senior-year player to win in 10 yrs
Went for a walk earlier around Cincinnati’s neighboring Clifton/Corryville neighborhood. This is the marquee outside concert venue Bogart’s. Cincinnati has turned into a Damar Hamlin town.
On Aug. 11, the list of Yankees who’ve been on IL this season:
Ellsbury
Heller
Montgomery
Hicks
Gregorius
Severino
Betances
Sabathia
Frazier
Judge
Tulowitzki
Morales
Andújar
Sánchez
Stanton
Barrett
Hale
Bird
Voit
Paxton
Germán
Loaisiga
Gardner
Encarnación
Maybin
Holder
Tarpley
“It’s a joke he’s not on that team. Gleyber Torres not an All-Star? You can kick rocks on that one ... Doesn’t seem right to me he’s not on that team.”
—Aaron Boone
This shirt is really cool. Over at the hospital, a group has started handing out these:
(and for those unfamiliar, 513 is the area code for Cincinnati)
Bengals center Ted Karras says a company shipped these shirts to the team in honor Damar Hamlin. He says it was like air going out of balloon all week trying to play with so much unknown. When he heard good Damar news today, it made him smile for 1st time.
This was just posted to Damar Hamlin’s IG. Also in the caption, this statement:
“We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger.”🫶🏾
Kinda chuckled hearing Sean McDermott reference Stefon Diggs' desire to get into the UC Medical Center on Monday night: "He wouldn't be denied," McDermott said, smiling.
My thanks to
@Ben_Baby
for the drive back past the stadium so we could see this for ourselves. As a totally unrelated aside, have to tell you Bengals fans: you’re incredibly lucky having this guy on your beat.
This is an important day in American sports history. On this exact day 100 years ago, and in this very building that stands at the current intersections of MLK Jr Blvd and E 19th St in Kansas City, the Negro Leagues were formed.
@nlbmprez
At Yankee Stadium today, Momoiro Clover Z, one of the biggest pop groups in Japan. One of their songs is the one Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka uses as his walk-up song when he takes the mound. They’re all wearing No. 19 jerseys.