Remaining in intensive care after suffering cardiac arrest, football pro Damar Hamlin is improving.

According to the attending physicians at the University Hospital of Cincinnati, Hamlin has "shown notable improvements" in the past 24 hours, the Buffalo Bills said on Thursday afternoon. Hamlin appears to be "neurologically fine".

He started waking up in the morning, one of the treating medics said at a news conference on Thursday, and his neurological functions appear to be intact. "We are very proud to say that and very happy for him, his family and the Buffalo Bills," said Timothy Pritts. Hamlin still has "significant progress to make, but that marked a turning point."

As the broadcaster ESPN reported, according to the doctors, Hamlin should be able to move his hands and feet, but he should not be able to speak. But they could have communicated in writing.

Hamlin asked if the Bills had won Monday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. "The answer is yes, Damar, you won the game of life," said Pritts. The NFL defender is still in critical condition. Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest at Monday's National Football League game. According to their own statements, the doctors have not yet found a definitive cause for this.

Biden encourages

US President Joe Biden personally gave the 24-year-old's parents courage. Biden (80) revealed in a media round about the call on Wednesday (local time) during a business trip that he spoke "at length" with the father and mother of the Buffalo Bills player.

Biden also commented on the debate about the physical dangers in American football, which has resurfaced after the emergency. "I think it makes a lot of sense to work on the helmets and the concussion protocols," said the US President. But this sport remains "dangerous", according to Biden, "you just have to acknowledge that".

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