By this time anyone with a television or the internet has had the opportunity to see the play during Monday Night Football that sent Bills safety Damar Hamlin to a Cincinnati hospital, clinging to life. Now almost a day later, though details are still sketchy we know a little more about what happened and what the league plans to do about the postponed game.
It’s recalled that late in the first quarter on what seemed like a routine play, Bills safety Damar Hamlin attempted to tackle Bengal wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins initiated contact and drove into Hamlin during the course of the play. The contact appeared routine, but when Hamlin popped up from the tackle he took a couple of steps, wobbled, and fell backwards onto the field. Upon seeing the immediate seriousness of the situation, medical crews rushed the field and found Hamlin in full cardiac arrest. An ambulance was brought onto the field while crews performed cpr for approximately 8 minutes. Hamlin was then loaded onto the ambulance and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Little was known of the seriousness of the situation and exactly what happened on the field, but the sight of full-grown men weeping openly and praying on the field spoke to the gravity of the moment. As ESPN announcers struggled to find words and fill the time, rumors started swirling about Hamlin and his condition until sometime later his representatives Tweeted this.
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.
— Jordon Rooney (@jordonr) January 3, 2023
Now, almost a full day later not much more is known except that Hamlin is still hospitalized in critical, but stable condition. Much will depend on the amount of oxygen that was lost to his brain and for how long, but the fact that he is stable is good news. As for the game, which has playoff seeding implications for both teams, the NFL has released an official statement.
All the NFL Teams are supporting Damar Hamlin during these difficult times 💔🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/VyJD2Eif5C
— NFL Daily (@SportsContent23) January 3, 2023
“The NFL continues to be in regular contact with the medical team caring for Damar Hamlin, and also the Bills and Bengals organizations and the NFL Players Association. After speaking with both teams and NFLPA leadership, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the clubs today that the Bills-Bengals game will not be resumed this week,” the league said in a statement.
Out of respect for #Bills S Damar Hamlin, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Network have postponed the announcement of the 15 Modern-Era Player Finalists for the Hall's Class of 2023. It had been scheduled for 8 pm tonight.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 3, 2023
The game is of little concern for the time being, and the league and all 32 teams have shown an outpouring of support for the fallen Bill. All 32 teams have changed their team logo to honor Hamlin, and the NFL Network and Pro Football Hall of Fame have delayed announcing their class of 2023 finalists which was scheduled for tonight. Hamlin is still clearly not out of danger, but signs have been encouraging thus far. This is a developing story and details will be given as they are learned.
"*" indicates required fields