NFL-Bills' Hamlin learns of massive support from fans

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is beginning to learn about the massive outpouring of prayers and support he has received since suffering a cardiac arrest during an NFL game on Monday night in Cincinnati, his doctors said on Thursday.

The football community and well beyond has rallied around the amiable 24-year-old, who has been able to communicate in writing in an excellent sign for his neurological condition, the doctors said. He remains on a ventilator to assist his breathing.

"He's learning it today," Dr. Timothy Pritts of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said at a news conference, when asked by reporters if Hamlin was aware of the massive support aimed his way.

"He expressed surprise that he had not been with the world for two days," Pritts added. "We've talked to him about all the support that's been given to him from Cincinnati, Buffalo and really across the country for him and his family during this time."

After making a tackle in the first quarter of the nationally televised game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin stood up, took a few steps and collapsed on his back.

Medical staff rushed to the field and performed CPR to restore Hamlin's heartbeat before he was taken away by ambulance as players from both teams and millions of television viewers looked on in horror.

With people wanting to do something, donations to an online toy drive fundraiser Hamlin launched in December 2020 have skyrocketed since the incident, raising nearly $7.46 million as of Thursday on 227,500 donations. Its original target was $2,500.

"There's going to be a lot of toys for him to buy when he recovers," Pritts said.

The medical staff at the hospital and Hamlin's family have also been lifted by the support, his doctors