A scary and emotional scene played out early in Monday night’s game between the Bills and the Bengals. At 5:58 of the first quarter, Bill’s safety Damar Hamlin collapsed after getting up from a tackle by Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. After making the tackle, Hamlin stood up only to suddenly fall to the ground. He received immediate medical attention at the scene and was transported to the UC Medical Center in Cincinnati.
Hamlin, 24, went into cardiac arrest after the hit, with his heartbeat restored on the field, the Bills said in a statement early Tuesday morning. The team further announced that Hamlin is “sedated and in critical condition.”
“Monday Night Football” between Buffalo and Cincinnati was officially postponed by the NFL just after 10 p.m. ET. The league released the following statement:
Tonight’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals has been postponed after the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced.
Hamlin received immediate medical attention at the scene from a team and independent medical staff, as well as local paramedics. He was then taken to a local hospital, where he is in critical condition.
Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
The NFL has been in constant contact with the NFL Players Association, which agrees with the game’s postponement.
Hamlin was resuscitated in the field for several minutes while being placed on a stretcher and eventually into an ambulance. Upon entering the ambulance, he was given oxygen, which took him and some family members to the hospital.
On Tuesday morning, family spokesman Jordon Rooney gave an update on Hamlin: “I can’t speak specifically about his health condition. I’m just saying he fights. He’s a fighter. … The family is in good spirits. We’re just taking it minute by minute, hour by hour, to be honest. … The most important thing is to give the family their privacy. … His family is going through a lot right now.”
Hamlin’s family issued the following press release late Tuesday morning:
“On behalf of our family, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time. We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words and donations from fans across the country.
“We also want to recognize the dedicated first responders and medical professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar. We feel so blessed to be a part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they’ve done.
“Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us. Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them.”
Monday’s game was temporarily suspended after coaches Sean McDermott of the Bills and Zac Taylor of the Bengals spoke on the field. About an hour later, the NFL decided to postpone the game. It chose not to address a possible postponement of the game in a media call late Monday night. That decision will ultimately rest with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Bills decided to fly back to Buffalo early Tuesday morning. Scores of members of the Bills and Bengals visited the hospital late Monday night.
Around 11:30 p.m. ET Monday, Hamlin’s agent Ira Turner issued a statement NFL Media: “Please continue to pray for Damar and his family. We currently have no news. I ask that you keep the family in your prayers.”
Hamlin is in the middle of his second season with the Bills. He earned a spot on the Buffalo starting lineup this season after appearing in 14 games as a rookie. Hamlin played collegially in Pittsburgh, where he had 276 tackles and six interceptions.
Hamlin’s character and his work ethic saw him make the Bills’ 53-man roster as a rookie despite being a Day 3 draft pick. That same work ethic helped him become a starter that season.
“Damar did a great job,” Bill’s GM Brandon Beane said of Hamlin during his rookie training camp. “He’s a very instinctive player. … He’s a great kid, he wants it, he works hard and gives himself every chance to bring himself into the mix despite being a sixth-round pick.”
Hamlin’s injury has prompted an outburst of emotion and support across the sporting world. Every NFL team has voiced their thoughts on social media. Numerous players have also expressed their support for Hamlin and his Buffalo teammates.
CBS Sports will provide more information on Hamlin as it becomes available.