One of the greatest games of the season, the Week 17 finale between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, took a tragic turn when Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin passed out on the field.
In a disturbing video that has leaked on social media, NFL standout Damar Hamlin is shown briefly standing before falling to the ground. During a Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills’ standout player took a blow to the chest.
In the video, Hamlin is seen tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins during the game’s first quarter. Higgins is shown taking the lead and striking Hamlin in the chest with his right shoulder.
A while later, Hamlin tries to bring his opponent to the ground by wrapping his arms around his shoulders and helmet. The next time we see Hamlin, he is shortly seen trying to fix his helmet with his right hand before he abruptly falls to the ground unconscious.
Before being taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the 24-year-old Buffalo Bills player received more than 30 minutes of on-field medical care.
Jordon Rooney, Hamlin’s buddy and marketing representative, provided an update and said;
‘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.’
Hamlin’s agent Ira Turner told NFL Network:
‘Please continue to pray for Damar and his family. We currently have no update at this time. Will ask that you keep the family in your prayers.’
Higgins, the man Hamlin was tackling, wrote;
‘My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIsland (and) the Hamlin Family. I’m praying that you pull through bro. Love.’
A statement released by the league read:
‘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 NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.’
The ESPN Monday Night Football coverage cut to commercial four times while Hamlin was receiving treatment throughout the protracted ordeal. There was a social media outcry when it was reported that the game will resume after a five-minute warm-up after the ambulance had left the field.
Following a discussion between head coaches Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor on the field in response to Hamlin’s terrifying accident, both teams left the field and went to the locker room.
Nearly an hour after Hamlin’s collapse, at just after 10 p.m. ET, the NFL declared that the game had been postponed.
