NFL: Damar Hamlin remains critical, game won’t be finished this week

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a heart attack during an NFL game, remained hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday as the league said the suspended contest would not resume this week.

The 24-year-old defensive end collapsed Friday night after receiving a hard hit in the chest while tackling receiver Tee Higgins during the first quarter of the Bills’ game in Cincinnati.

Medical workers restored Hamlin’s pulse on the field during a 30-minute labor as players from both teams cried and worried, a harrowing scene that was watched by a national television audience and the stadium crowd fell silent.

Hamlin was taken from the stadium in an ambulance and the pivotal contest between playoff-bound NFL clubs, led 7-3 by Cincinnati, was stopped.

“Damar Hamlin spent the night in the intensive care unit and remains there in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center,” the Bills said in a statement.

“We are thankful and grateful for the support we have received so far.”

The NFL announced the Bills-Bengals game will not be completed this week, with no guarantee that it will be completed, and said the regular-season final game next weekend remains as scheduled.

“The NFL has not made a decision on whether to resume the game at a later date,” the NFL statement said. “The league made no changes to the week 18 regular season schedule.”

That means the NFL expects the Bills (12-3) to play host to New England (8-8) in a game with playoff qualification and seeding implications.

Dorrian Glenn, identified by some US media as Hamlin’s uncle, said his nephew had to be revived twice, once on the field and again after arriving at the hospital.

“It’s sad to see him like that,” Glenn said. “We all cried. I’ve never cried so much in my life just to know that my nephew died on the field and he came back to life…

Buffalo television station WIVB reported Glenn said doctors had reduced Hamlin’s oxygen level from 100 percent to 50 percent, a sign his breathing was stronger.

“I know he’s fighting,” Glenn said.

The NFL Players Association tweeted mental health information and counseling for all players in America’s most violent and popular sport.

“We are continuing to communicate with the club and the NFL to ensure that Bills and Bengals players have the resources available to assist and support them during this time,” the NFLPA statement said.

NFL players and supporters, including US President Joe Biden, hope Hamlin, who remains sedated, will make a full recovery.

“The president has seen terrible news. I hope his condition and health improve quickly,” said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.

‘I’m shaken’

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, the 45-year-old quarterback who ended a brief retirement to play this season, tweeted: “Moments like this put into perspective what it means to play this game we love.”

“I’m shaken,” 39-year-old Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the Pat McAfee Show. “Your football death is coming face to face. One of your brothers in the NFL fraternity is now fighting for his life.

“Whether you’re playing or you’re done playing, you’re shaking about it because you never thought you’d see something like this on the field.”

A GoFundMe page supporting Hamlin’s foundation, which seeks $2,500 for youth charity programs, has more than $5.3 million in contributions, with family members saying the money will also go toward “Damar’s current fight.”

“We want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this difficult time,” the Hamlin family said in a statement.

“We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words and donations from fans across the country… Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us.”

Other sports teams supported Hamlin, with NFL clubs tagging social media with the message “Pray for Damar”. The NHL Buffalo Sabers wore “Love for 3” shirts with Hamin’s jersey number to the arena in Washington, where there was a moment of silence and a round of applause as a tribute to Hamlin.

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