Bills’ Hamlin still in critical condition
Buffalo-Cincinnati game will not resume this week, NFL says.
CINCINNATI — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin remains hospitalized in critical condition after he suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field during the first quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
The Bills confirmed on social media overnight that Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored on the field, and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. The team provided an update Tuesday afternoon indicating he spent the night in intensive care and his status remains unchanged.
Play was suspended Monday night after the medical emergency occurred with 5:58 left in the first quarter. Medical personnel enacted the league’s Emergency
Action Plan and were tending to the 24-year-old Hamlin on the field for 19 minutes, including the use of a defibrillator, CPR, an IV and oxygen, before he was transported to the hospital via ambulance.
The NFL announced Tuesday the game will not resume this week, but no decision has been made regarding the possibility of finishing at a later time.
“The NFL continues to be in regular contact with the medical team caring for Damar Hamlin, and also the Bills and Bengals organizations and the NFL Players Association,” the NFL said in a statement. “After speaking with both teams and NFLPA leadership, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the clubs today that the Bills-Bengals game will not be resumed this week.”
The Bengals and Bills were playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs, and Cincinnati had a chance to clinch the AFC North title with a win or tie. Both teams are scheduled to play their regular-season finale Sunday. The Bills left Paycor Stadium shortly after midnight and flew back to Buffalo in the wee hours of Tuesday.
The league has not made any changes to the Week 18 schedule, but it remains unclear if the playoff schedule could be impacted.
League officials overnight Monday expressed concern for Hamlin’s health and the well-being of the players, coaches and staff who witnessed a “traumatic” event.
Hamlin, a former University of Pittsburgh player in his second NFL season, had taken a blow to the chest while making a routine tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, but initially got back up and seemed fine. A split second later, after appearing to adjust his facemask, he fell backward to the turf and showed no movement. Players immediately signaled for medical assistance, and CPR was administered for several minutes.
His mother, Nina, was at the game and traveled to the hospital in the ambulance with her son. Fans from both teams gath
ered in support outside the hospital for a candlelight vigil, and players from around the league shared their thoughts and prayers for Hamlin on social media. Teams around the league changed their social media avatars to a blue No. 3 jersey with the words “Pray for Hamlin.”
“First and foremost, the Bengals continue to send thoughts and prayers to Damar Hamlin and his family. Our hearts are with everyone in this unprecedented time — what we can do is support one another,” Bengals President Mike Brown said in a statement.
“Last night was supposed to be a great night for the NFL and a great showcase for our hometown. Instead, the human side of our sport became paramount ... and in that moment, humanity and love rose to the forefront.
“As medical personnel undertook extraordinary measures, both teams demonstrated respect and compassion while fans in the stadium and people around the country bolstered the support for Damar and love for each other.
“The Bengals are thankful for the love and compassion shown by all. Praying for Damar.”
Hamlin’s “Chasing M’s Foundation” toy drive fundraiser, which he set up in 2020 on GoFundMe. com, has raised more than $4.9 million since his collapse. The fund had a goal to raise $2,500 and was sitting at around $3,000 before Monday’s events. As of early Tuesday evening, more than $4.9 million had been raised, along with well-wishes for Hamlin.
On Tuesday morning, the family issued a statement, shared through his marketing representative and friend, Jordon Rooney.
“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” the family said in the statement. “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.”
The family expressed gratitude to the first responders and healthcare professionals at UCMC “who have provided exceptional care to Damar,” as well as to the Bills and Bengals organizations, specifically coach Zac Taylor, for their support.
Taylor may have played an instrumental role in the game getting postponed. After Hamlin departed via ambulance, players from both teams began warming up as though they might be expected to resume play. ESPN at that time reported the teams were given five minutes to get ready.
Taylor crossed the field and approached Bills coach Sean McDermott, and the two spoke with officials before signaling to their players to return to their respective locker rooms. About 35 minutes later, the game officially was postponed.