The NFL world — and beyond — continues to send prayers for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
During the first quarter of Monday’s Week 17 game between Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin collapsed on the field after tackling receiver Tee Higgins.
After an ambulance came on to the field, CPR was administered. Eventually, after some time, the NFL postponed the game as Hamlin was taken to UC Medical Center.
Overnight, there was an update on Hamlin’s condition, which is part of the reporting that’s come out since that horrifying, scary moment. Here’s everything we’ve seen as of Tuesday morning around 7:30 AM Eastern:
The Bills confirmed that he suffered cardiac arrest but that his heartbeat was restored
That update came early Tuesday morning. Hamlin is “listed in critical condition.”
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
That came after this initial statement from the NFL
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) January 3, 2023
UC Health said it didn't expect updates as of late Monday night
UC Heath spokesperson says they don’t expect to make any updates tonight
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) January 3, 2023
The Bills sent this update on Tuesday afternoon
Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
NFL VP Troy Vincent denied the NFL gave both teams a five-minute period before resuming play
He spoke with reporters after midnight. From Pro Football Talk:
Vincent was asked about the report that the teams at one point were given five minutes to warm up before continuing.
“I’m not sure where that came from,” Vincent said. “Frankly, there was no time period for the players to get warmed up. Frankly, the only thing that we asked was that [referee] Shawn [Smith] communicate with both head coaches to make sure they had the proper time inside the locker room to discuss what they felt like was best. So I’m not sure where that came from. Five-minute warmup never crossed my mind, personally. And I was the one . . . that was communicating with the Commissioner. We never, frankly, it never crossed our mind to talk about warming up to resume play. That’s ridiculous. That’s insensitive. And that’s not a place that we should ever be in.”
Although ESPN’s Joe Buck said on the air that “word we get from the league” was there would be a five-minute period before the game resumed:
Joe Buck stated it on-air as fact four separate times so figuring out who is lying should be pretty straightforward. https://t.co/2GWQMGcsFn pic.twitter.com/RIphQ7zWLB
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 3, 2023
It was also said on Westwood One radio and ESPN Deportes:
The "the league will give them five minutes to warm up" report was also made separately on ESPN Deportes and on Westwood One radio: pic.twitter.com/kQC0igFNKZ
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 3, 2023
A charity started by Hamlin is up over $3 million in donations
Fans found the GoFundMe he started for a toy drive and donations started pouring in.
Here is the verified GoFundMe Demar Hamlin started in December to help kids have a magical Christmas.
Following his injury on the field tonight, fans across the country are showing their support for him and his family by donating to his fundraiser 💚https://t.co/wcubpBpdd1
— GoFundMe (@gofundme) January 3, 2023
Hamlin's family released this statement
Announcement directly from Damar’s family: pic.twitter.com/MdzgxUmVfg
— Jordon Rooney (@jordonr) January 3, 2023
