Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and was administered CPR before being driven away in an ambulance during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was suspended for the night after the injury.
The NFL later announced that Hamlin is listed in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital. He had suffered cardiac arrest.
The injury happened when Hamlin collided with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins after a completion. He got to his feet, appeared to adjust his face mask with his right hand, and then fell backward about three seconds later and lay motionless.
At one point, Hamlin’s uniform was cut off and he was given CPR from medical personnel. ESPN reported on its telecast that Hamlin was also given oxygen.
Hamlin was surrounded by stunned players from both teams. The ambulance was on the field four minutes after Hamlin collapsed, with many players in tears, including cornerback Tre’Davious White. The quarterbacks—Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow—embraced. When Hamlin was taken off the field 16 minutes after he collapsed, the Bills gathered in prayer. He was driven to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The 24-year-old Hamlin’s agent Jordan Rooney released a statement at 10:30 PM:
“Update on Damar:
“His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests.
“We will provide updates as we have them.”
Joe Buck talks about the injury to Bills Safety Damar Hamlin: “This went from a sports story to a news story from a sporting event to a matter of life and death.”
Troy Aikman says “Nobody has experienced anything like this… it really is unprecedented.”
Lisa Salters, from the broadcast team, breaks down as she describes the last 90 minutes after Damar Hamlin was given CPR on the field.
ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt talks about seeing the MNF feed: “the urgency in which the medical personnel were moving was very concerning. It was clear this situation was dire.”
ESPN’s Ryan Clark (and former player) talks about the ugly side of football: “Next time we get upset at our favorite fantasy player, or the guy on our team who doesn’t make the play and call them worthless, we should remember that these men are putting their lives on the line.”
The NFL releases a statement, postponing the game and announcing that Damar Hamlin is in critical condition.
