Dummer Hamlin says ‘feeling good’ but emotional recovery will take time | WGN Radio 720

(The Hill) — Just a month after collapsing during an NFL game in Cincinnati, Buffalo Bills safety Dummer Hamlin describes his “amazing” recovery from the cardiac arrest he suffered after making a tackle in early January. Looking back in public.

Hamlin, 24, said he was grateful that he was able to “live a normal life” and get out of the situation “unbroken”.

When asked about his physical condition on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Hamlin said, “I’m feeling good. I take 10 deep breaths every morning and every night to put everything in perspective.”

Hamlin’s interview comes after doctors described what he described as an “amazing” recovery from the cardiac arrest he suffered after making a tackle midway through the first quarter of a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this year.

Bills’ assistant athletic trainer, Denny Kellington, immediately performed CPR on Hamlin. Hamlin said he owes his life to Kellington.

“He was literally the savior of my life that night,” said Hamlin. “It’s something I really appreciate and don’t take for granted.”

After collapsing, Hamlin was taken to a Cincinnati hospital and spent several days in the intensive care unit on a ventilator. Four days after his cardiac arrest, he was able to communicate with his family and teammates.

Hamlin said he remembers preparing for the game against the Bengals. rice field.

“I don’t want to go too deep into that,” Hamlin said after a long pause.

He admitted that while he felt fine physically in the aftermath of his injury, he was still “getting over” the emotional impact.

“I’m still working on things,” Hamlin said. “I’m just trying to process all the emotions and trauma that comes with dealing with a situation like that.”

Hamlin used the incident to launch a campaign in partnership with the American Heart Association to get 3 million people to sign up to learn CPR.

Hamlin said he hopes to be able to play football “eventually” but that it’s in God’s hands.