The Buffalo Bills played the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, in a game that will not soon be forgotten. After Damar Hamlin made a tackle midway through the first quarter, the 24-year-old Bills safety suffered a cardiac arrest.
On the field, medical personnel performed CPR to restart Hamlin’s heart, as his teammates and opposing players alike looked on. At 1:48 this morning, the Buffalo Bills issued a statement on Hamlin’s condition.
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in the Buffalo Bills’ game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
Almost 40 minutes after the injury took place, Referees delayed the game to a later date. Both teams quietly returned to their locker rooms. The NFL released a statement to this effect.
“Tonight’s Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin Collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced.”
“The NFL has been in Constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
According to the NFL’s executive vice president of personnel Troy Vincent, delaying the game was the only reasonable choice available.
“It never crossed our mind to talk about warming up to resume play, that’s ridiculous.”
The game was delayed six minutes into the first quarter with a score of 7-3 in favor of the Bengals.
Some players, on both the Bills and Bengals, were seen visibly shaken at the scene that unfolded on the field last night. Some players were seen crying at the scene that they never expected to be a part of when the game began.
As a massive outpouring of support has come the way of the Bills and Hamlin, Hamlin’s friend and marketing rep Jordan Rooney offered more insight into the condition of the young star.
“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.”
The Cincinnati Bengals also made efforts to show their support for Hamlin and to make it clear that he was in the team’s thoughts and prayers. Paycor Stadium, home of the Bengals, was seen lit in the Bills’ blue and white colors following the postponement of the game, showing that the two teams are standing together following Monday night.
Damar Hamlin is in the second season of his NFL career, a year in which he has made a name for himself and has become a starter for the division-leading Buffalo Bills, starting 13 of the team’s 15 games this season. The Pennsylvania native played his college football at Pitt, before being drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
According to NFL.com, no plans have been made to resume the game, and those talks will be held at a later date when the emotions of last night have simmered out.
Now the football world is waiting with bated breath, as Damar Hamlin remains in everyone’s prayers for a speedy recovery for Damar Hamlin.
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