As Dr. Timothy Pritts spoke, his words sounded like they were lifted from the greatest sports films ever created. This was Gale Sayers proclaiming, “I adore Brian Piccolo, and I want you all to adore him as well.” This was Adrian wishing Rocky success. This is what Norman Dale told his Hickory High Huskers team: “I love you guys.”
However, this was more than just heart-wrenching dialogue.
This was an instantaneous response to the prayers of a nation.
“Did we win?” Moments after awakening on Wednesday evening, Damar Hamlin composed a letter that was given to a bedside nurse and conveyed to his doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
His physicians told him, “Yes, Damar, you won the game of life.”
During a one-hour press conference on Thursday afternoon, Pritts elaborated, “Not only are the lights on, but he’s also at home.”
There is a notion that little, regardless of topic, can unify us as a nation anymore. However, the last few terrible days have disproved this, at least in this instance. As soon as Hamlin slumped on the field at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium shortly before 9 p.m. on Monday, it was evident that people around the country were not only concerned for Hamlin’s health, but also eager to do what they could to assist.
“I love Brian Piccolo, and I want you all to love him, too. And when you fall to your knees tonight, please ask God to love you.”
Others had to write cheques and pay cash to Hamlin’s charity, Chasing M’s Foundation, which distributes toys to disadvantaged children. Prior to Monday, the fundraising target for Chasing M was $250,000. By Thursday, it had surpassed $7 million.
And everywhere people inquired, pondered, refreshed their social media profiles, and searched for new information. The No. 3 by Hamlin became a staple on billboards from Seattle to South Beach, Baja to Buffalo. Since Monday evening, every major sporting event has incorporated a moment of silence to allow participants to pray in their own way to a higher power.
In the National Football League, players scarred by Sunday afternoon conflicts bonded in a way that only NFL players can comprehend, as they all recognize how valuable and fragile their careers are, with their bodies always at risk for sprains, strains, and breaks. Now then, this. The Jets’ Sauce Gardner requested a Hamlin jersey from Fanatics to wear before Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, but was told it would not arrive in time. So he took to Twitter to ask, “Is it possible for someone to provide me with a Hamlin jersey for pregame this week?”
Michael Rubin, the chief executive officer of Fanatics, guaranteed delivery of a blue No. 3 by game time in Miami. Everyone doing his or her part. Everyone playing a role
Everyone is hopeful that Damar Hamlin will awaken.
Wednesday night, Damar Hamlin woke up. He inquired about his team, which, based on what we know about him, is just what we would expect him to do. He remains in critical condition, and anybody who has spent many hours caring for loved ones knows that the happy ending is not written until the patient crosses the threshold of their house.
But this was certainly noteworthy.
“He remains in critical condition and is receiving care in the ICU,” Pritts said on Thursday. “He still has to make tremendous development. This is a pivotal moment in his continuous care.”
“He has a long way to go before he can be removed from the ventilator,” stated Dr. William Knight of the UCMC.
We get it. We understand. We cannot fast-forward life like they do in those sports movies, write “Six months later” at the bottom of the screen, and see that everything went as planned. The body is a miraculous healing marvel, yet it heals at its own rate and on its own timetable.
Still, those three words — “Did we win?” — sent shivers down the spine of a very united United States and goosebumps across the arms of its citizenry, regardless of their interest in football. Sometimes all you want is a proof that good things do occasionally happen to and for decent people, and that hope can arise from the ashes of sadness. We received it Thursday.
These three words provided the answer.
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