On Monday night, a tragic incident occurred during the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and was given CPR before being transported to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
The NFL announced that the game would not continue and it is currently unclear when or if the teams will return to the field. Read more: Updates: Damar Hamlin in critical condition; Bills-Bengals game off
The incident occurred after a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, during which Hamlin appeared to get to his feet before falling backward and remaining motionless.
Hamlin was treated on the field by team and independent medical personnel as well as local paramedics. An ambulance arrived on the scene four minutes after the collapse and Hamlin was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Players from both teams were visibly emotional, with many in tears. Quarterbacks Josh Allen of the Bills and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow were seen embracing each other in the aftermath of the incident. The game was suspended five minutes after the ambulance left the field and players slowly made their way off the field and into the locker rooms.
The NFL released a statement expressing their thoughts and condolences for Hamlin and the Buffalo Bills. The 24-year-old safety had a successful college career at Pittsburgh, where he played in 48 games and was named a team captain and second-team All-ACC performer.
He was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 draft and played in 14 games as a rookie before becoming a starter this year. Prior to the game, Hamlin had recorded 91 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
This incident brings to mind a similar incident that occurred in 2007, when Bills tight end Kevin Everett suffered a spinal cord injury during a tackle in the team’s season opener against the Denver Broncos. Everett was initially left partially paralyzed but eventually made a full recovery. Our thoughts are with Damar Hamlin and his loved ones as we hope for his recovery.
—Information from the AP used in this report.
