Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin with his helmet off before playing the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sept. 8, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The scenes of Hamlin's on-field collapse after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, has forced some fans to yet again confront a truth they have always known but hated to think about: Football can go from exciting and joyous to dark and tragic in a flash. Now, as the Bills defensive back remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, fans are reflecting on their relationship with the sport they love. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
It has been a harrowing week for the friends, family, and fans of the Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin after his terrifying on-field collapse on Monday. But the footballer continues to fight his way back and is now breathing on his own.
Doctors removed Hamlin's breathing tube overnight following earlier reports of progress indicating he seemed to be neurologically sound after having to be resuscitated twice.
Since having the tube removed, Hamlin has spoken with family members and even attended a team meeting, according to a Bills tweet, via FaceTime where he told his fellow players, "Love you boys."
On Thursday, it was reported that one of his first questions after waking up was who won the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and his Buffalo Bills. While doctors had replied that he "won the game of life," the NFL made the official decision to not resume the game and ultimately canceled it.
The cancellation has some potential ramifications on the NFL playoffs. While the move won't impact either the Bills or Bengals postseason chances, the AFC Championship game will be played at a neutral site "If the participating teams played an unequal number of games and both could have been the number one seed and hosted the game had all AFC clubs played a full 17-game regular season," according to the league's statement.
Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier tries out ZOZOFIT's new body suit that provides 3D scans measuring everything from waist size to body mass index. Madeleine Kanazawa, vice president of marketing for the fitness brand, breaks down how the technology works.
Former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife, former U.S. national team player Kealia Watt, announced they were investing in England's Burnley FC, which recently gained promotion to the Premier League. "Burnley ticked all the boxes -- the ownership, the team, the fanbase, the vision," Watt said, "And also the town, I think the town fits us well."
Cheddar News' weeklong series on personal fitness, Shannon Shapes Up, continues with Shannon LaNier busting a move at 305 Fitness in New York City. The gym offers full-body dance cardio workouts everyday with a live DJ.
