Hamlin returns to Buffalo
Bills safety Damar Hamlin returned to Buffalo on Monday to continue his recovery in a hospital there, a week after going into cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the field during a game in Cincinnati.
Hamlin was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in the morning and flown to western New York. He was listed in stable condition at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute.
“I can confirm that he is doing well. And this is the beginning of the next stage of his recovery,” said Dr. William Knight, one of his doctors in Cincinnati.
Doctors said Hamlin has been walking since having a breathing tube removed Friday, eating regular food and undergoing therapy.
“We continue to be ecstatic about his recovery,” Dr. Timothy Pritts said.
Hamlin’s return comes a day after he cheered on the Bills from his hospital bed during their regular seasonending 35-23 win over the New England Patriots. after the second ejection of his rookie season. He also spoke directly to the Detroit Lions physician he shoved during the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game . ... The Tennessee Titans fired offensive coordinator Todd Downing, offensive line coach Keith Carter, secondary coach Anthony Midget and offensive skills assistant Erik Frazier. ... The Cleveland Browns fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods after his third season . ... Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees announced his retirement after his second season with the team.
The NWSL permanently banned four people from coaching and announced disciplinary action against other individuals and teams in response to an investigation into alleged abuse and misconduct . ... The Kansas City Current signed Brazilian midfielder Debinha toa multiyear contract.
LAFC opened training camp without one of its biggest-name players as Gareth Bale announced his retirement after 18 seasons. Bale, 33, won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and became the most expensive transfer in soccer history when he left Tottenham for Spain for $108 million in 2013. He won 21 trophies with Real Madrid before jumping to LAFC last June to prepare for the World Cup. Bale played only sparingly for LAFC, the last appearance coming in the MLS Cup final when he scored the game-tying goal deep in stoppage time of the second extra period. That sent the game to penalties kicks, which LAFC won.
— Kevin Baxter
UCLA made a change on its defensive staff, severing ties with line coach Chad Kauha’aha’a after one season in which the unit was beset by injuries.
Ducks center Justin Kirkland was hospitalized Sunday after a car accident but was expected to be released Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Angels and outfielder Brett Phillips agreed on a one-year, $1.2-million contract and designated pitcher Austin Warren for assignment. Phillips, a sixyear veteran, batted .144 for Tampa Bay and Baltimore last season.
Former Atlanta general manager John Coppolella was reinstated by Major League Baseball after serving more than five years of a permanent suspension for the team’s circumvention of international signing rules. ... San Francisco agreed to terms on an $11.5-million, two-year contract with right-hander Luke Jackson.
Houston is back at No. 1 in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the second time this season. Kansas State leaped from unranked to No. 11. UCLA is No. 7 . ... Illinois cracked the women’s poll for the first time in 23 years at No. 24. South Carolina remained No. 1.
American Amanda Anisimova beat Russian Liudmila Samsonova 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Adelaide International to claim her first win in the main draw of a WTA tournament since August . ... Gregoire Berrere beat two-time champion John Isner in three sets in the first round of the ASB Classic in New Zealand.