FOX Sports pundit Skip Bayless has apologized for a tweet he shared Monday regarding Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin’s collapse on the field.
Following a major controversy Monday night, Bayless’ co-host and former NFL player Shannon Sharpe was noticeably absent from the latest episode of “Undisputed,” forcing him to apologize while sitting alone on air.
“Allow me to say up front that if it offends anyone for what we’ve set out to do here today, I apologize, because we’re going to try to do the show pretty much like we normally do,” said the 71-year-old Bayless, who joined Fox Sports in 2016 after being an ESPN pundit for 12 years.
‘But I’ll admit right away that I’m still devastated by what happened to Damar Hamlin last night. In fact, I’m still devastated. In fact, I’m not sure I’m capable of doing this show today.
FOX Sports pundit Skip Bayless apologized Tuesday for his “insensitive” tweet related to the cardiac arrest suffered by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin Monday night
Skip Bayless is without Shannon Sharpe for Undisputed today.
He tried to apologize for the discussion about Damar Hamlin last night and on today’s show. pic.twitter.com/MTg7w0gafx
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 3, 2023
Bayless faced backlash on Twitter after seemingly questioning whether the NFL should have postponed the Bills’ penultimate home game against the Bengals Monday night
Hamlin, 24, remains in critical condition today after attacking Bengals receiver rival Tee Higgens. He then collapsed and went into cardiac arrest before being rushed to the hospital
“But after barely sleeping on it, I decided to give it a try,” he added. Maybe I will fail. Maybe we will fail. But we will try. We wrestled most of the night about even doing a show tonight because it felt like we almost couldn’t win with that in our opinion because the last thing we want to try is face to face with the young man to seem so insensitive in a life-or-death situation.
“The last thing we want to do is offend someone by trying to do what we always do, which is talk about sport. As we continue on this show, we’re going to try and talk about a bit of sports.
“But we will continue to talk about what happened to this young man last night and try to clarify it with the help of the audience.”
With many fans of the show speculating that Sharpe was intentionally absent from Tuesday’s episode in an apparent response to Bayless’ tweet about Hamlin on Monday, the TV sports commentator merely commented that he was looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.
Fox Sports’ Undisputed co-host Shannon Sharpe was noticeably absent on Tuesday
On Monday night, Bayless sparked fury after apparently wondering if the NFL should postpone the Bills’ crucial Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals after Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest at Highmark Stadium.
On Tuesday, Hamlin, 24, remains in critical condition after he attacked rival Bengals receiver Tee Higgens and collapsed before being taken to hospital.
The game was subsequently suspended by the NFL after Hamlin was taken off the field in an ambulance – but Bayless wondered how they could stop the game in the final week of the regular season.
“No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game – but how? So late in the season, a game of this magnitude is critical to regular season outcome…which suddenly seems so irrelevant,” Bayless tweeted.
Bayless’ tweet on Monday shocked the sports world, with ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III leading the black whip: “Damar Hamlin’s LIFE is at stake. Get your head out of your ass
Many prayers are needed for this player Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin who collapsed after 9 minutes of CPR transported from field to hospital in critical condition game postponed please Lord lift up this young man in prayer to heal… pic.twitter.com/0ptbV0ODWN
— Diane (@ladyfishrn11) January 3, 2023
His tweet sparked fury among NFL fans, with ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III tweeting, “Damar Hamlin’s LIFE is at stake. Get your head out of your ass.’
NBA star Isaiah Thomas tweeted: “Hope they fire you bro!!! It’s very sad that you’re even thinking about the game.”
One fan tweeted: “A platform as big as yours and you decide to get into a game of someone else’s life? You’re one of the worst out here. Shame on you.’
The backlash forced Bayless to apologize for being asked if the game should be postponed.
Bayless tweeted Tuesday: “Nothing is more important than this young man’s health. That was the point of my last tweet. I’m sorry if that was misunderstood, but his health is all that matters. Again, everything else is irrelevant. I have prayed for him and will continue to do so.’
During the game, the ESPN Monday Night Football show was cut off four times for commercials when Hamlin was treated on the field.
After the ambulance left the field, reports initially suggested the game would resume after a five-minute warm-up, sparking an outpouring of anger on social media.
Vincent said the league took no steps to restart play and did not ask players to begin a five-minute warm-up, as ESPN’s broadcasters announced.
“It never occurred to us to talk about warming up to get back into the game,” said Vincent. ‘That’s ridiculous. That’s insensitive. This is not a place we should ever be.’
Hamlin remains in critical condition after collapsing on the field. In one chilling scene, the player was administered CPR on the pitch while surrounded by his tearful teammates.
“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 testing and treatment,” the Bills said in a statement.
“He is currently sedated and in critical condition.”
Bayless apologized for asking whether the Bills-Bengals game should be suspended
Bills players were shocked to see Hamlin receive life saving treatment on the field
Hamlin was injured while tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in what appeared to be a routine game that didn’t appear unusually violent.
The NFL announced Hamlin’s condition shortly after he was rushed to a hospital, but neither the league nor the hospital released any further details on the 24-year-old’s medical condition. The team’s statement was released before its flight arrived in Buffalo early Tuesday. There was no immediate update on the future status of the game.
On the game, the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin was injured, Higgins leading with his right shoulder that hit the defensive back in the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to pull him down.
Hamlin stood up quickly, seemed to be adjusting his face mask with his right hand, then fell back about three seconds later and lay motionless.
Bills players are seen praying for their 24-year-old team-mate after he suffered cardiac arrest
Bengals fans hold a vigil for Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, after the football player suddenly collapsed at Highmark Stadium Monday night
Hamlin was treated at the scene by a team and independent medical staff and local paramedics and was taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Teammate Stefon Diggs later joined Hamlin in the hospital.
About 100 Bills fans and a few Bengals fans gathered on a corner a block from the ER entrance, some holding candles.
Jeff Miller, an NFL executive vice president, told reporters on a conference call early Tuesday that the league had no plans to play the game at the time, adding that the focus was on Hamlin’s health.
An ambulance was on the field four minutes after Hamlin collapsed while many players hugged, including quarterbacks Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.
“Please pray for our brother,” Allen tweeted.