Damar Hamlin is in critical condition after collapsing in the middle of an NFL game Monday night. The Buffalo Bills player was in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals when, according to ESPN, following a tackle on wide receiver Tee Higgins and getting up apparently uninjured, he abruptly fell on the field at Paycao Stadium.
Upon seeing what happened, medical personnel rushed to the field to attend to the safety immediately. He was placed on a stretcher, with the medical team protecting his head to prevent further damage. After this, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started and lasted ten minutes.
Once safe, he was removed from the field and transferred to an ambulance, where he was given oxygen to help facilitate his breathing. Within minutes, the suspension of the NFL game was announced, and it was the league itself who said that Hamlin, 24, was in critical condition at a local hospital:
— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2023
His team, the Buffalo Bills, announced a few hours ago in a tweet the cause of Hamlin's collapse. Apparently the safety collapsed due to a cardiac arrest that could have been caused by a blow suffered during the match:
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
The sports world, pending Hamlin's condition
In the aftermath, NFL vice president of operations Troy Vincent reported that several of Hamlin's teammates traveled to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to be with the Buffalo Bills safety. Coach Zac Taylor and player Stefon Diggs were among them. The rest, according to the sports media, immediately returned to Orchard Park.
They were not the only ones, the Buffalo Bills echoed several of the messages the safety received wishing him a speedy recovery. They were joined by other teams and personalities from the sports world who also sent their best wishes to Damar Hamlin:
❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/yTZzQs0QAp
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
The game is not important.
Damar Hamlin’s life is important.
Please be ok. Please.
🙏🏼
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 3, 2023
Sending thoughts and prayers to @HamlinIsland and the @BuffaloBills.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 3, 2023
Sending our thoughts and prayers to @HamlinIsland and the @BuffaloBills. https://t.co/ybbZ3YxTfg
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 3, 2023
