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Flowers, candles and other items to honor Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin outside of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Damar Hamlin incident continues to bring out best in humanity

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/4/23

Millions continue to rally around Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who is in a critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital after going into cardiac arrest against the Bengals on Monday.

In Cincinnati, ESPN's Coley Harvey and Ben Baby noted the tributes for Hamlin:

Went for a walk earlier around Cincinnati’s neighboring Clifton/Corryville neighborhood. This is the marquee outside concert venue Bogart’s. Cincinnati has turned into a Damar Hamlin town. pic.twitter.com/OFU1krUU3w
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 4, 2023

Graphic displayed outside Great American Ballpark, the home of the Cincinnati Reds, in tribute of Damar Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/gXEvdoB9Xk
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 4, 2023

Harvey noted that local Cincinnati chef Jeff Ruby will cater a meal for Hamlin's family while at the hospital.

Also, learned that later tonight, @TheRealJeffRuby is catering a meal at the hospital for the family. The gestures the family has received in Cincinnati reminds them of what they’ve gotten in Buffalo.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 4, 2023

Donations continue to pour into Hamlin's GoFundMe online fundraiser. (The original goal of the fundraiser was $2,500.) ESPN's Mike Reiss noted Patriots owner Robert Kraft made a $18,003 donation, and New England QB Mac Jones also donated.

Other donors shown on the GoFundMe page include owner Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts at $25,003, Rams QB Matthew Stafford at $12,000 and Russell and Ciara Wilson with $10,000.

The toy drive has raised an amazing $6.6 million and counting.

Robert Kraft and the Patriots add $18,003.

Within the Jewish faith, 18 is “chai” and signifies life. The “3” is Damar Hamlin’s number.

Beautiful gesture. https://t.co/drdrCaCiC6 pic.twitter.com/UOJPwTphRO
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 4, 2023

Damar Hamlin’s toy drive now up over $6 million, as those close to him are “awestruck” by the level of support and “incredible nature of humankind.”

Mac Jones and family with a meaningful gesture that mirrors Robert Kraft’s blessing of Hamlin’s life. https://t.co/sKgwDlekBB pic.twitter.com/Z0KqhaJ6u3
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 4, 2023

In an update from Hamlin's family via GoFundMe, they wrote: "We're simply awestruck by the level of support and generosity we've seen over the past two days. With over $6 million raised, this fundraiser has become an overnight reminder of the incredible nature of humankind."

Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the outpouring of support has mirrored Hamlin's own effervescent spirit. The Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey spoke with Kim Spriggs, who works with kids in the community where Hamlin grew up near Pittsburgh.

"He's the role model. I've worked with a lot of kids from preschool to high school. He's everyone's role model. The kids around here adore him," she said.

Hamlin is already an inspiration to his hometown. Under impossible circumstances, he's bringing out the best in all of us, too.

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