When Hamlin's face was projected on Highmark Stadium's jumbotron, fans and players on both sidelines cheered loudly and gave the injured player a standing ovation. Buffalo players charged onto the field waving flags reading \"Pray for Damar\" and gathered at midfield collectively flashing No. 3 with their fingers.

Hamlin was also honored in pregame ceremonies at NFL stadiums across the country, with announcers calling for support and prayers for the injured defensive safety, who remains in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Bills players also wore patches with Hamlin's number on their jerseys during the game, which began with an electrifying 96-yard kickoff return by Nyheim Hines.

The Bills went on to win the game 35-23.

\"PHOTO:
Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP
PHOTO: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signs autographs for fans on their signs bearing the number 3 in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
>

Following the game, Hamlin tweeted that he is selling T-shirts featuring an image of his hands forming a heart and the words, \"Did we win?\" in reference to the question he asked when he regained consciousness in the hospital. Hamlin said proceeds from the $33 shirts sold on his DidWeWin.com site will go to first responders and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center trauma center.

\"We all won,\" Hamlin tweeted. \"I want to give back an ounce of the love y'all showed me.\"

Hamlin made his first public comments since his life-threatening injury on Saturday in an Instagram post.

\"When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x's as much,\" Hamlin wrote. \"The Love has been overwhelming, but I'm thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out.\"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DaⓂ️ar Hamlin <3 (@d.ham3)

\"We brung the world back together behind this,\" the post continued. \"If you know me you know this (is) only (going to) make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!\"

Hamlin shared another message on Twitter Saturday and expressed how much he felt the overwhelming support of the past week.

\"PHOTO:
Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images
PHOTO: Buffalo Bills fans hold signs in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium, Jan. 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.
>

\"The love is felt, & extremely real. No matter race or religion everybody coming together in prayer!\" he tweeted.

The love is felt, & extremely real. No matter race or religion everybody coming together in prayer! 🙏❤️

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 8, 2023

Hamlin was hospitalized in critical condition after collapsing on the field during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After several days on a ventilator, the Buffalo Bills updated on Friday that Hamlin was now breathing on his own and talking to family and doctors.

\"PHOTO:
Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: In this Sept. 19, 2022, file photo, Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills is shown after a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
>

The team said in an update on Twitter on Saturday that Hamlin is \"making continued progress\" but \"remains in critical condition\" at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

The team said Hamlin \"continues to breathe on his own\" and that \"his neurological function is excellent.\"

Hamlin was able to FaceTime with the Buffalo Bills' players and team on Friday, saying, \"Love you boys.\"

\"The thing that makes me laugh is -- he did this to the guys right away -- he flexed,\" Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Friday about the call. \"He flexed on them, I guess. He's just got some staple things that they know him for and that he does.\"

McDermott told reporters Thursday that the Bills going forward with Sunday's game is what \"Damar would've wanted.\"

After Hamlin collapsed on the field Monday night, scores of concerned fans showed their support via an online fundraiser created by the young NFL star previously. The fundraiser, which is aimed at helping buy toys for kids in need, has now received more than $8 million in donations.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio and Matt Foster contributed to this report.

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