Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin was in critical condition after collapsing on the field

Bills safety Damar Hamlin was in critical condition after collapsing on the field Monday night, the NFL announced, and Buffalo's game against the Cincinnati Bengals was suspended.

 

Hamlin underwent CPR on the field, ESPN reported and was surrounded by teammates, some in tears, after he was injured in a tackle with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins led with his right shoulder, which hit Hamlin in the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arm around Higgins' shoulder and helmet to bring him down. Hamlin stood up, appeared to adjust his face mask with his right hand, then fell back about three seconds later and continued to move.

 

Hamlin was treated on the field and taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the NFL said. Hamlin was then joined at the clinic by teammate Stefon Diggs.

 

About 100 Bills fans and a few Bengals fans gathered in a corner a block from the emergency room entrance, some holding candles. The NFL announced more than an hour after the injury that the game would not resume.

 

"Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available," the team said in a statement. "The NFL is in regular communication with the players who agreed to postpone the game." 

 

An ambulance was on the field four minutes after Hamlin collapsed, with several players in tears, including cornerback Tre'Davious White. The followers - Josh Allen of Buffalo and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati - welcomed each other.

 

"Please pray for our brother," Allen tweeted. Hamlin collapsed at 8:55 p.m. and when he was carted off the field about 19 minutes later, the Bills gathered to pray. A few minutes after the ambulance left the game, the game was suspended and the players quietly left the field and went to their dressing rooms. Hamlin's shirt was cut off and he appeared to be receiving CPR from paramedics. ESPN reported that the TV show with Hamlin also received oxygen. "No one has done this," Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman said on an ESPN telecast. "I've never seen anything like it." 

 

Buffalo Bills players kneel after teammate Damar Hamlin's #3 falls due to a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter at Paycor Stadium on January 28. 2, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Bengals led 7-3 in the first quarter of a game between teams fighting for the top seed in the AFC Championship. Cincinnati enters at 11-4 and leads the AFC North by one game over Baltimore, while AFC East champion Buffalo is 12-3.

 

"The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin," the players' union said in a statement. "We are in contact with players from the Bills and Bengals and the NFL. The only thing that matters right now is Damar's health and well-being. 

 

It's unclear when or if the game will resume as the NFL enters the final week of the season. The result has big implications for the tournament, with the track record starting on January 14. The reason behind the injury is reminiscent of when the end of the loan Kevin Everett lay on the field after a concussion during the second-half kickoff in the opening season of 2007 Buffalo vs Denver Broncos.

 

Everett had a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed at first. Hamlin, 24, spent five years in college in Pittsburgh - his hometown - and played 48 games with the Panthers during that time. He was an All-ACC second baseman as a senior was named team captain, and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl. He was drafted in the sixth round by the contract in 2021, played 14 games as a rookie, and started this year right after Micah Hyde was lost for the season with an injury.

 

As of Monday night, the Hamlin-organized toy drive had reached more than $1.2 million in donations. His stated goal is $2,500.

 

Kathryn Bersani and her mother, Gayle, were among the Bills fans who traveled from Buffalo to the game and walked from the stadium to the hospital. "It's our family Christmas," Kathryn Bersani said. "We think it's going to be a great game. Joe (Burrow) and Josh (Allen) are great guys. Sad, sad times. Such fear. I hope he lives a normal life. We were surprised. 

 

Chuck and Janet Kohl went to the hospital after watching the game at home.

 

"It's more important than football," Chuck Kohl said. "I must come and pray for Mr. Hamlin." 

 

Entering the game, the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin had 91 tackles, including 63 solo tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.

 

The tweet from Pitt's football account was simple and clear: "Damar Hamlin is the best of us. We love you, 3,” the Twitter said, referring to Hamlin by his varsity number.

Buffalo Billsbills vs bengalsdamar Hamlin injuryBengalsdemar hamlindamar Hamlin hit Bengals vs billsCincinnati Bengalshamlin billsdamar Hamlin videos bills bengalsdamar Hamlin updateMNFhamlin buffalo billsdamar Hamlin bills injury what happened to damar hamlinHamlin injury bills player injurybuffalo bills damar hamlinbuffalo bills hamlinnfl news bills hamlindamar Hamlin cprdamar Hamlin injury updated mar Hamlin collapsebuffalo bills injury Bengals billed Hamlin bills injury reportdamar Hamlin buffalo bills safety injury bills Bengals gamedamar Hamlin statushamlin