Pitt shows love for hospitalized alum Damar Hamlin with shirts, banner for Bills safety

The Pitt Panthers showed some love for Damar Hamlin, wearing their hearts on their chest against Clemson.

While fans signed well wishes on a banner for the former Pitt safety who went into cardiac arrest during a game for the Buffalo Bills on “Monday Night Football” in Cincinnati, Panthers players wore gold T-shirts with Hamlin’s No. 3 inside a heart during warmups prior to their 75-74 loss Saturday before 10,403 at Petersen Events Center.

Pitt players pay tribute to #DamarHamlin by wearing gold T-shirts with the No. 3 inside a heart while warming up for Clemson. The ⁦@OaklandZoo⁩ is wearing the shirts, too, and fans signed a banner for the former Central Catholic and Pitt safety now with the Buffalo Bills. pic.twitter.com/MzRB1uX819

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) January 7, 2023

The 24-year-old Hamlin, a McKees Rocks native who graduated from Central Catholic and Pitt, remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center but had his breathing tube removed. The Panthers were pumped to receive the positive news that Hamlin spoke to teammates via video conference call Friday.

“It was great to see that he’s breathing on his own and that he’s doing well,” Pitt senior guard Jamarius Burton said. “For us, as the Pitt community, we just want to give him support during this time. If it played a role in the crowd numbers, then it is what it is. We just wanted to show our support with the shirts and everything else.”

An hour before tipoff, fans lined up in the upper concourse to sign a blue banner with Hamlin’s No. 3 in gold and “Pray for Damar” in white that was hung on the railing above the Oakland Zoo section behind the basket closest to Pitt’s bench at the Pete.

Putting love into the world comes back 3xs as much… thankful for everyone who has reached out and prayed. This will make me stronger on the road to recovery, keep praying for me! ????????3️⃣

— ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? (@HamlinIsland) January 7, 2023

Hamlin made his first posts to social media on Saturday since being hospitalized, writing on Instagram: “When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much. The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me! #3strong.”