CINCINNATI – The Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals Monday Night football match was adjourned after the Bills secured the safety of 24-year-old Damar Hamlin, who collapsed on the field after a collision during the first half and was taken by ambulance. went in critical condition, according to a statement from the NFL
With six minutes remaining in the first half and the Bills leading, 7-3, Hamlin dealt with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins after a 13-yard catch. Higgins lunged at Hamlin at full speed, seemingly hitting his head and chest area. Hamlin quickly got up, took two steps, fell back, his body limp.
Paramedics performed CPR and looked after him for 10 minutes as players from both teams looked very upset, some in tears on the sidelines while others walked around each other. and knelt to pray. A medical professional appears to administer the IV. Hamlin was then placed on a stretcher and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Fans at Paycor Stadium, who had been silent about the challenge, clapped as the ambulance departed. A Bills spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bills players and staff were scheduled to fly back to Buffalo Monday night, according to a person familiar with the decision, who was not authorized to speak publicly. No game resume date has been announced.
The The NFL Players Association said in a statement that they have been in contact with players on both teams and with the NFL “The only thing that matters at this time is Damar’s health and well-being,” the statement said.
Hamlin, a sophomore transferred from Pittsburgh, has been on the starting lineup since September because of an injury at Buffalo High. Within an hour of admission, a toy drive led by Hamlin’s charity received over $650,000 through a crowdfunding site.
Players from across the NFL were quick to express their concerns on social media. “Pray hard…please be fine man,” Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City quarterback said in a post to his Twitter account.
“The Game Doesn’t Matter,” JJ Watt of the Arizona Cardinals wrote in a post. “Damar Hamlin’s life is very important. Please be at peace. Please.”
Bills quarterback Josh Allen wrote: “Please pray for our brother.”
About 100 football fans gathered outside the University of Cincinnati hospital looking for information on Hamlin’s condition.
Janet Kohl, 62, and her brother Chuck Kohl, 56, hold lit candles. Both said they are lifelong fans of the Bengals and are former season ticket holders. They were watching the game on TV when Hamlin collapsed; they drove 20 minutes to the hospital to pray.
Chuck Kohl said: “In an instant, the whole thrill of being a Bengals fan was put into perspective. “Because now we are talking about life or death.”
Earlier in the first quarter, Bills full-back Taron Johnson left the game with a head injury after attempting to tackle Hayden Hurst at close range from the Bengals. Johnson was cared for on the field by the team’s coaches for several minutes before leaving.
Hamlin’s is the latest in a series of serious injuries this season that have brought the NFL under renewed criticism over player safety. On Sunday, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Nick Foles left a game after being fired by Giants defender Kayvon Thibodeaux, who celebrated the hit when Foles appeared to convulse on the field. Foles was taken off the field but listed because of a rib injury.
On September 29, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was transferred to the hospital after hitting his head on the field during the match against Bengal. Tagovailoa immediately raised his arms and his fingers spread, a gesture known as “fence reactionThat could be a sign of a brain injury.
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with a concussion and has since returned with the team, but this moment has drawn more attention to an investigation conducted last week, by the league and the NFL Players Association. together, on how Dolphin reacts after he appears to be concussion. concussion in the game against the Bills four days earlier.
The investigation found that the team was following the league’s concussion protocol, but the NFL and the players’ union agreed to amend the procedures to ban a player from returning to play if he exhibits ataxia. , a term that describes an imbalance or impaired coordination due to bodily harm. brain or nerves. Under the previous protocol, players who exhibit “gross motor instability” – such as difficulty getting up or walking – can return to competition if doctors decide that there is an orthopedic reason. makes him unstable.
Tagovailoa was again diagnosed with a concussion after being fired on December 25 in a game against the Green Bay Packers.
Kevin Williamcontribution report.
