Near noon on Tuesday, as Damar Hamlin remained in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, the toy drive he once hoped to raise $2,500 for had topped $4 million in contributions.
Most of the more than 150,000 people sending money, they couldn’t know Hamlin. They hadn’t even heard of the Buffalo Bills defensive back until he was hit struck in the chest Monday night tackling Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins in what appeared a common football play — until the aftermath.
Hamlin stood up and then collapsed to the field. No one knew just then his heart stopped. But the reaction was the same for the ones watching on national television Monday night as the ones kneeling on the Cincinnati football field.
