Professional football player Damar Hamlin has spoken out publicly for the first time following his cardiac arrest and subsequent resuscitation.

Cologne – Professional football player Damar Hamlin has spoken publicly for the first time after his cardiac arrest followed by resuscitation. “When you put love out into the world, three times as much comes back,” the 24-year-old wrote on Twitter. “I’m thankful for everyone who reached out and prayed. This will make me stronger on the road to recovery, keep praying for me!”

Hamlin is on the road to recovery after his dramatic collapse during his Buffalo Bills’ NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills announced Friday that the safety’s breathing tube had been removed and he “continues to make remarkable progress.”

Hamlin collided with an opponent in the first quarter of Monday’s game. After initially getting up under his own power, he collapsed on the field. After half an hour of treatment on the spot, Hamlin was taken to hospital and placed in an induced coma.

The game was initially suspended for an hour and then completely abandoned – it will not be made up.