Monday night’s matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals is one of the most anticipated games of the NFL season.
But midway through the first quarter, a terrifying scene unfolded, and suddenly football seemed utterly irrelevant.
Buffalo Bills safety Dumar Hamlin collided with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins in what appeared to be a regular tackle at first.
Hamlin got to his feet, but fell and lost consciousness.
Both fans and players were horrified that this was more than just a concussion, so paramedics rushed to the field to administer CPR.
An ambulance arrived on the field moments later and the Bills and Bengals players formed a circle around Hamlin as paramedics attempted to restore his heartbeat.
Eventually, Hamlin’s condition stabilized to the point that he was moved off the field and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He is currently sedated and is said to be in critical condition.
For the first time in the NFL, both teams have decided that their only course of action is to suspend play for the night so that the focus of the sports world can stay in Hamlin, where it belongs.
In the hours after he collapsed, information about Hamlin’s condition was frighteningly scarce.
However, at 1:48 a.m. Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills’ media department issued the following statement:
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“Dummer Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after getting a hit in the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“His heartbeat recovered on the field and was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further examination and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed as in critical condition.”
On the team’s website, the Bills’ public relations department encouraged fans to pray for Hamlin, adding:
“The team and all of the sport continue to pray for his recovery. Get well soon Damar!”
Officials had originally called for the game to resume after a five-minute warm-up period.
However, after discussing the situation with Bills coach Sean McDermott and Bengals coach Zach Taylor, the decision was reached to suspend play pending an update on Hamlin’s condition.
Ultimately, all parties agreed to reschedule the game.
Hamlin’s mother was on standby for the game and was able to accompany the ambulance when her son was taken to the hospital.
Hamlin, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, was promoted to starter early in the 2022 season after Bills safety Micah Hyde was injured.
We will provide further updates on the state of the 24-year-old as more information becomes available.
For now, we would like to add our voices to the chorus of millions wishing for Hamlin’s full and speedy recovery.
