Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is in critical condition after collapsing on the field at Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills say.
The team tweeted an update overnight, saying: “Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after scoring in our game against the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored in the field and he was taken to UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after scoring in our game against the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored in the field and he was transferred to UC Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment. He is currently sedated and in critical condition.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
That rest of the game was postponed after the injury. The NFL has not said when the rest of the game will be played.
The game took place in the closing moments of the first quarter when 24-year-old Hamlin attacked Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. An ESPN correspondent who aired the game said Hamlin “scored a goal, he got up, took a few steps and then just fell to the ground.”
Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills walks to the tunnel during halftime against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
Medical personnel treated Hamlin on the field for about 10 minutes, including performing CPR, before an ambulance was driven onto the field, announcers said. It appeared as if Hamlin was being given oxygen as he was loaded into the ambulance.
“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field from a team and independent medical workers and local paramedics. He was then taken to a local hospital where he is in critical condition,” the NFL said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.”
ESPN announcers said Hamlin’s mother was at the game and rode with him in the ambulance.
Buffalo Bills players cower and pray after teammate Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field at Paycor Stadium on January 2, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio after kicking off the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter. Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Players from both sides crowded around Hamlin while he was treated and some appeared despondent. Several burst into tears.
“The entire Bills team is on the field right now,” said an ESPN correspondent as they awaited news of Hamlin’s condition. “Some players have fallen to their knees, others are holding hands and praying. You can only see the worried faces on their faces.”
After Hamlin was sent off, play was initially “temporarily suspended”, umpires said, and the players went back to their respective dressing rooms.
The decision to officially reschedule the game for the night was announced just after 10 p.m. ET, about an hour after Hamlin collapsed.
The thoughts and prayers of Bill’s Mafia are with you, Damar. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lDWNAOEPX4
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
Bills quarterback Josh Allen tweeted“Please pray for our brother.”
Fans of both teams, some holding candles, gathered at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Hamlin was being taken.
Fans gather for a vigil at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin, who collapsed after a tackle during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was transported by ambulance to the hospital on Jan. 2, 2023. Dylan Buell/Getty Images
A sign is put up during a vigil by fans at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin after he collapsed after a tackle during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was transported to the hospital by ambulance on Jan. 3, 2023 . Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Teammate Stefon Diggs visited Hamlin in the hospital.
Several other teams sent congratulations to Hamlin and the Bills, who were playing at Cinncinnati’s Paycor Stadium.
Our thoughts are with @HamlinIsland as well as the whole @BuffaloBills Organization ❤️💙
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 3, 2023
Send big prayers and love to @HamlinIsland right now 🙏🙏🙏
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 3, 2023
The Bengals also offered a tribute, according to Jay Morrison, the Bengals’ beat writer for The Athletic:
Blue light at Paycor for Damar Hamlin and the Bills family pic.twitter.com/hSFtn6mKah
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) January 3, 2023
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted that she was “praying” for Hamlin and that “our hearts go out to his family, loved ones and the entire @BuffaloBills community.”
The game happens to have a major impact on the playoff seeding as the league enters the final week of its regular season.
Hamlin was drafted by the Bills in 2021 after playing 46 games at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, according to his team bio. He also runs the Chasing M’s Foundation which gives back to the community.
A toy drive he raised money for on GoFundMe saw a surge in donations following Monday night’s incident. As of 2:30 a.m. EST, the fund had exceeded $3 million in commitments. His original goal was – $2,500.
Hamlin also has an eponymous clothing brand and has donated clothing to students at his former high school.
Trending News