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January 2, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; The Buffalo Bills gather as an ambulance park on the field as CPR is administered to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) after a play in the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday night’s game against the Bengals and was taken to a Cincinnati hospital where the NFL, which later postponed the game, said he was in “critical condition.”
The medical emergency sparked immediate appeals from fans, commentators and other players, and brought renewed attention to America’s most dangerous sport.
During the first quarter of Monday night’s game, Hamlin took a hard hit against Bengals’ Tee Higgins.
He then stood up and suddenly collapsed on the floor, with medical staff rushing to the field.
Players from both NFL teams, clearly shaken by what they witnessed, surrounded Hamlin during treatment, which ESPN said included CPR, with many kneeling in prayer and some openly crying.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Damar, his family and the Buffalo Bills ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/A03jGU4J9S
– NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2023
Hamlin “was later transported to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition,” the NFL said in a statement.
The crowd in Cincinnati remained silent and television coverage broke from the scene on the field.
ESPN commentator Joe Buck said the medical staff had been “pounding” on Hamlin’s chest and it was quickly clear from the players’ reactions that his condition was serious.
After the ambulance left the pitch, reports initially suggested the game would restart after a five-minute warm-up, sparking outrage on social media.
During ESPN’s broadcast of the event, Booger McFarland, a former NFL player and analyst, also called for the league to abandon the game.
“No one is concerned about football now … they are concerned about one thing, the health and safety of these young people,” he said.
The coaches of both teams gave the umpire a call, and the players were then ordered to the locker room, when the game was announced “temporarily suspended.”
The NFL later issued a statement that league commissioner Roger Goodell had declared the game postponed.
“The NFL has continued to communicate with the NFL Players Association who agreed to postpone the game,” the statement concluded.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available,” the NFL added.
Hamlin’s health is ‘the only thing’ on his mind
Buffalo Bills players huddle and pray after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 is injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kirk Irwin/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)
Video footage showed that Hamlin had been hit in the upper chest area.
The NFL, one of the most violent team sports, has been dealing with many concerns in recent years about concussion injuries to players from hits to the head.
While injuries are common in the sport, some observers said it was the first time they had seen an ambulance enter the field to treat a player.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” former quarterback Kurt Warner said on NFL Radio.
The NFL Players Association said it has been in contact with players from both teams.
“The NFLPA and everyone in our community are praying for Damar Hamlin. We’ve been in touch with the Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters right now is Damar’s health and well-being,” the union said on Twitter.
“Please pray for our brother,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen tweeted as players from around the league took to social media with the same message.
Some fans traveled to the University of Cincinnati hospital where Hamlin was being treated, as did teammate Stefon Diggs.
The incident, which was broadcast during Monday night’s nationally televised match, drew backlash from athletes in other sports.
“Player safety in all sports is always the most important thing,” said NBA star LeBron James.
“It’s terrible to see and I don’t want the best for that kid. I’m a fan of the NFL and football and you don’t want to see something like that happen,” he said.
The NFL gives an indication of when the game can be resumed or replayed.
The Bills and Bengals have already clinched spots in the NFL playoffs, but this game is important for both teams as they seek to earn the number one seed in the AFC.
That will bring benefits and benefits to the field throughout the season.
The NFL regular season is scheduled to end on Sunday with the playoffs beginning the following weekend.
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