Cincinnati Medical Professionals Who Assisted Damar Hamlin Given Key to City by Mayor

The University of Cincinnati Medical Center team that assisted in Damar Hamlin's care have received a key to the city for their heroic efforts.

Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval announced the decision to honor the medical professionals on Thursday:

"The inspirational work done by Damar Hamlin's medical care team is a testament to the powerful impact of UC Health and all our healthcare workers. These are true heroes, and they spend every day saving the lives of our family, friends, and neighbors. It's been incredible to see Cincinnati rally around Damar and those who stepped up to help him recover, as UC Health workers have once again shown what our community is made of."

Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest in the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills' matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. The game was suspended and later canceled.

Timothy Pritts and William Knight IV, doctors at the UC health center, told reporters on Jan. 5 that the medical staff on the field saved Hamlin's life and neurological function by acting as quickly as they did.

The second-year safety spent one week at UC Medical Center before he was released and transferred to Buffalo General Medical Center.

The Bills honored Hamlin and their medical staff before kickoff of their Week 18 home game against the New England Patriots.

Hamlin had been making almost daily visits to the Bills' facilities last week as he continues to recover. The 24-year-old attended Buffalo's playoff game against the Bengals on Sunday.

A marketing representative for Hamlin told the Associated Press last week that Hamlin still has a long recovery period ahead of him. He requires oxygen and regular heart monitoring to ensure he doesn't suffer any setbacks or lingering aftereffects.