'Happy to be back in Buffalo': Damar Hamlin released from Cincinnati hospital

COLUMBUS, Ohio (TND) — Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was released from the hospital and returned to Buffalo, New York on Monday.

"I traveled with him to the airport this morning with our UC Health air care and mobile care crew, including teammates who were with us on the field when Damar Hamlin collapsed," Dr. William Knight IV said alongside Dr. Timothy Pritts during a news conference.

They said Hamlin was transferred to Buffalo General Medical Center, where he will continue to undergo tests and be monitored.

Dr. Pritts and I have spoken extensively with his care team in Buffalo and I can confirm he is doing well and this is the beginning of the next stage of his recovery,"Knight added.

Knight also said Hamlin has met "a number of key milestones" during his recovery, with Hamlin starting both physical and occupational therapy.

Hamlin shared his emotions on social media. He thanked the team of doctors and nurses who cared for him in Ohio, as well praised the medical staff in New York.

Grateful for the awesome care I received at UCMC," he wrote. "Happy to be back in Buffalo. The docs and nurses at Buffalo General have already made me feel at home!"

In a previous tweet, he said he was headed back to New York "with a lot of love on my heart."

On Sunday, the Bills defeated the New England Patriots 35-23 and clinched the AFC's second playoff seed.The Bills wore the number 3 on their jerseys in honor of Hamlin. The team also wore T-shirts that said, "Love for Damar 3" for pregame warm-ups, while the team's business staff donned "3" lapel pins.

Plus, the "3s" in each 30-yard line number on the field were outlined in "Buffalo Bills Blue."

Hamlin said the tributes, along with the support from his family, friends, and fans, were uplifting.

Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling," Hamlin wrote. "The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more. Bigger than football!"

The Bills also shared the news on social media.

Doctors said his breathing tube came out early Friday morning, adding that he also took his first assisted lap on Friday. They said he did not have a cervical spine injury.

Doctors said it was premature to speculate about Hamlin's future on the field.

They also said he was on a normal or even accelerated trajectory in his recovery from cardiac arrest, noting that he is neurologically intact.

Hamlin, who is 24 years old, suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.

Knight IV and Pritts on Thursday said Hamlin showed "remarkable improvement" during his first few days of treatment. At that point, he was able to communicate with doctors in writing. They said the first question Hamlin asked was if the Bills won the game.

The answer is yes, Damar, you won," Pritts said. "You won the game of life."

Hamlin is now selling T-shirts that feature the words, "Did We Win?" He said proceeds will go to first responders and the UC Trauma Center.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: WSYX contributed to this report.