Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field this week, multiple sources have reported.
The 24-year-old NFL star reportedly collapsed on the field during the Bills' game against the Cincinnati Bengals - who were winning 7-3 - on Monday (Jan 2), which had to be suspended following the incident. The emergency has again sparked further discussion and debate into the dangers of the USA's most popular sport.
In a statement to the press, the Bills said (via Al Jazeera): "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."
Hamlin was reportedly stood up after making a routine tackle against Bengals' wide receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter with just 5:58 remaining, before falling to the ground and remaining motionless. Per NBC News, an ambulance swiftly arrived on the field and Hamlin received CPR for several minutes, with his fellow players and coaches standing by and watching on in tears. The rest of the Bills team knelt to pray for Hamlin.
The NFL released a statement shortly following the devastating incident, writing: "Tonight's Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced.
"Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.
"Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available," the statement continued. "The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game."
A reporter who covers the Cincinnati Bengals for the Cincinnati Enquirer, Kelsey Conway, told CNN that the scene on Monday night was horrifying, saying: "It seemed to be very bad when they weren't moving [...] It was really unclear what exactly was going on. We knew it had something to do with the heart [...] You knew something tragic happened, but you just didn't know."
Conway also added that the NFL Emergency Action Plan was activated in response to the incident, which included an ambulance, a nearby highest Level 1 trauma center, and airway traffic control.
"They never want things like this to happen, but they are prepared for situations like this. And they were able to get him to better care as quickly as they could. He had a police escort take him in the ambulance. So, he got there pretty quickly," she said.
Our thoughts are with the family, friends, teammates, and fans of Damar Hamlin at this difficult time.
