(Cincinnati) Safety Damar Hamlin was in critical condition Tuesday morning after the Buffalo Bills reported his heart stopped beating following a tackle in Monday night’s game at the NFL, which has also been suspended indefinitely.
Hamlin collapsed during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and received medical treatment on the stadium lawn for about 20 minutes before being rushed to an area hospital.
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a tackle during our game against the Bengals. We were able to resuscitate him and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment,” the Bills said in a statement.
“He is currently in an artificial coma and his condition is considered critical,” added the New York organization.
Hamlin received cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the field, ESPN reported, and was surrounded by teammates, some in tears, after taking a routine tackle from Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Higgins attacked with his right shoulder, which hit Hamlin in the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to bring him down to the ground. Hamlin got to his feet, appeared to adjust his face shield with his right hand, then fell backwards. He then remained lying on the ground, motionless.
Hamlin was treated on the field by team and independent medical personnel as well as local paramedics, the NFL said. He was then transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The NFL announced more than an hour after the injury that the game would not resume.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available, Circuit Goodell said in a statement. The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which agrees with the postponement of the game. »
An ambulance was on the field four minutes after Hamlin’s collapse, with many players in tears, including cornerback Tre’Davious White. The quarterbacks – Josh Allen of the Bills and Joe Burrow of the Bengals – hugged.
“Please pray for our brother,” Allen tweeted.
Hamlin collapsed at 8:55 p.m., and when he was taken off the field 16 minutes later, the Bills gathered to pray. Five minutes after the ambulance left, the match was suspended, and the players slowly left the field to return to their locker rooms.
Hamlin’s uniform was cut off and medical personnel appeared to be administering first aid. ESPN reported on its broadcast that Hamlin also received oxygen.
The Bengals led 7-3 in the first quarter of a game between teams vying for the first in the American Conference. The Bengals entered the game with an 11-4 record and lead the North Division with one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, while the East Division champion Bills are 12-3.
It was unclear when or if the game would resume as the NFL enters the final week of regular season play. The outcome of the encounter will have significant consequences for the playoffs, with the first round set to begin on January 14.
Hamlin, 24, was selected in the sixth round by the Bills in 2021, appeared in 14 games as a rookie and became a starter this year after Micah Hyde was injured.
Before the game, Hamlin, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds, had 91 tackles, including 63 solo, and a sack and a half.