Damar Hamlin collapsed in the first quarter of the Bengals’ top game against the Buffalo Bills. The safety went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated.
The 24-year-old was then transported to the hospital and placed in an artificial coma. The NFL announced that his condition was critical. The game was initially interrupted for an hour and then stopped completely.
The essentials in brief:
- Bills update again – ‘signs of improvement’ at Hamlin
- Clarification: Hamlin was only reanimated once
- League offers players an opportunity to talk about mental health
- NFL teams change Twitter profile picture to “Pray for Damar”.
+++ Bills give another update – “signs of improvement” at Hamlin +++
The Buffalo Bills have provided another update on Damar Hamlin’s health.
Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight.
He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 4, 2023
“Damar remains in critical condition in intensive care, with signs of improvement seen yesterday and overnight,” the franchise wrote on Twitter.
And further: “He is expected to remain in intensive care while the medical team continues to monitor and treat him.”
+++ Clarification – Bills player Hamlin was only reanimated once +++
After Hamlin’s uncle said the Bills safety had been reanimated several times, Jordan Rooney, the player’s friend and the franchise’s marketing director, clarified that there was a misunderstanding. Hamlin was only resuscitated once, and that was on the field.
In addition, his condition is still critical.
Jordon also clarified (on behalf of the family) that there may have been some miscommunications in terms of the number of times Damar Hamlin was resuscitated. There was only one instance at Paycor Stadium.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 4, 2023
+++ NFL offers players the opportunity to exchange ideas about mental health +++
After the Damar Hamlin accident mentally scratched many players, the NFL is now providing “mental health resources”. The NFL has sent a memo to the teams. It states that all teams are welcome to take advantage of the offer.
So not only players of the Cincinnati Bengals or Buffalo Bills have the opportunity to use this mental aid, but all players and coaches around the league. What exactly the league’s offer looks like is not known.
Roger Goodell’s memo sent to all the NFL teams:
Mental health and support resources were made available for on-site services for the league’s players and staff.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/cahjgfErGK
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 3, 2023
+++ NFL teams change profile picture to “Pray for Damar” on Twitter +++
After the tragic accident involving Damar Hamlin, the NFL stands together. On Twitter, every single team, including the NFL account, changed their profile picture themselves. “Pray for Damar” and his shirt number three now adorn the Twitter profiles of all teams.
The Buffalo Bills thanked them for their moral support with a mini video. “It’s more than football” is the headline.
+++ Uncle gives a slightly positive update, but no all-clear +++
Dorrian Glenn, Damar Hamlin’s uncle, gave positive signals in an interview with the NFL Network that his nephew’s condition is improving.
“They’re trying to get him to breathe on his own again. He’s currently on around 50 percent ventilation, yesterday it was 100 percent,” says Glenn.
“I’m incredibly grateful, the medical staff are doing a fantastic job and after that scary scene yesterday we’re glad he’s still with us,” he added.
However, he could not give the all-clear. “His condition is still unstable, he’s still struggling. We have to look at it from day to day.” Even worse: According to the “Daily Mail” he was resuscitated a second time after arriving at the hospital. Hamlin is currently in the intensive care unit of a Cincinnati hospital.
“A lot of people don’t get to see how loved they are while they’re alive, so for him to have a situation where he could have been taken away and he has a chance to come back and see all that love that he got.”
Our @nflnetwork interview with Damar Hamlin’s uncle, Dorrian Glenn: pic.twitter.com/h3YN3LizPC
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 4, 2023
+++ Bills report: Hamlin spent the night in intensive care and remains in critical condition +++
The Buffalo Bills have released an update on their player and unfortunately cannot give the all-clear.
Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
“Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and is in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received so far.”
+++ Hamlin family thanks for their sympathy and asks for prayers +++
Hamlin’s family has posted a thank you for the sympathy and support and asks that Damar be kept in prayer.
It reads: “On behalf of our family, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support that has been shown to Damar during this challenging time. We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words and donations from fans across the country.
We also want to recognize the dedicated first responders and medical professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who provide exceptional care to Damar. We feel so blessed to be a part of the Buffalo Bills and to have their support.
We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they’ve done. Your generosity and compassion means everything in the world to us.
Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them.”
+++ spokesman for the Hamlin family reveals: “He fights, he is a fighter” +++
Little is known about Hamlin’s health. Jordon Rooney, a marketing rep for the NFL star and spokesman for the Hamlin family, said on ABC’s Good Morning America: “I can’t be specific about his health but I can say he’s struggling, he’s a Fighter.” Rooney continues: “The family is in good spirits. We are looking minute by minute and hour by hour.”
+++ Buffalo Bills make official statement about Hamlin +++
The Bills statement: Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a collision in the game against the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored and he was taken to the University of Cincinnati Hospital for further testing and treatment. He has been sedated and is in critical condition.
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 NFL and sports world is shocked, a close Hamlin confidante gives a first update.
Game abandoned at Bills at Bengals – close confidant of Hamlin comments on status
NFL insider Ian Rapoport retweeted a post from a close friend of the Bills player. Accordingly, his condition stabilized and the doctors put Hamlin to sleep so that they could put a ventilation access in his throat. Further tests are now pending.
Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapses after colliding with Bengals receiver Higgins
Hamlin set up a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and quickly tried to get back up. He suddenly collapsed. The Bills’ athletic trainers quickly came to the rescue before the seriousness of the situation was realized. Hamlin received CPR for several minutes, followed by oxygen.
Meanwhile, his visibly shocked teammates knelt around him. Hamlin’s family was escorted from the stands to the pitch. After 16 minutes of treatment on the court, Hamlin was taken to the University of Cincinnati Hospital in an ambulance.
NFL stars in shock
Bills receiver Stefon Diggs then spoke to the entire team. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor immediately ran to Bills coach Sean McDermott and consulted with the umpires.
After angry reactions on social media and severe criticism from ESPN expert and former NFL professional Booger McFarland (“Nobody is interested in football right now”), the NFL and its commissioner Roger Goodell then decided to abandon the game. At this point, the Bengals were leading 7-3 against the Bills.
The Bills are heading back to Buffalo except for a few players who would like to stay with Hamlin. Some fans then gathered in front of the hospital and prayed for Hamlin. According to ESPN, Bills receiver Diggs is said to have gone to the hospital.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said the Bills are returning to Buffalo tonight, but that some players are choosing to remain in Cincinnati to be near Damar Hamlin.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2023
The NFL wants to wait and see the situation before deciding how the game will be handled going forward.
There will be more updates on this topic here soon.