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Alina GetzenbergESPN
CINCINNATI – Safety Bills Hamlin devastation He collapsed on the field, was given CPR, and then was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he is in critical condition, according to the NFL, which postponed the game between Buffalo and the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night.
In a chilling scene that brought a showdown between two of the NFL’s best teams to a halt, CPR was given to Hamlin on the court for several minutes after he collapsed after a play in the first quarter. He was given oxygen, according to the ESPN broadcast, as he was put into the ambulance and taken from the field about 16 minutes after he collapsed and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by an independent medical team and staff and local paramedics,” the league said in a statement. He was then taken to a local hospital where his condition is critical.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available. The NFL has been in constant contact with the NFL Players Association agreeing to postpone the game.”
The injury occurred after Hamlin tackled wide receiver T Higgins And soon after that he woke up. Hamlin then suddenly collapsed, with athletic trainers immediately arriving to help. Then a stretcher was brought onto the field where the athletic trainers protected his head.
The entire billing sideline surrounded Hamlin while he was being cared for. It was clear that several of the Bills’ players were feeling tight and comfortable with each other as he was being nursed by the athletic trainers. Many players turned away from watching Hamlin in distress.
The first attempt to transport Hamlin got him back on the field, but he was eventually put into an ambulance, which left the field at about 9:25 p.m. ET and headed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, which is about 5 miles away. Hamlin’s family came down from the stands to be with him in the ambulance.
After Hamlin walked off the field, the Bills players knelt together in a circle and then returned to the sideline, with the defense returning to the field to resume play. Buffalo wide receiver Stephen Diggs Everyone called for a word. However, instead of resuming play, Bengals head coach Zack Taylor drove to Bills counterpart Sean McDermott and met with the game officials in attendance. The decision was then made to stop the game—in which the Bengals had a 7-3 lead—about 21 minutes into the injury.
The NFL then announced a full postponement around 10 p.m. ET. The league did not say when the match would be formed or resumed.
“The National League for National Liberation and everyone in our community prays for Hamelin’s devastation,” the union said in a statement. “We’ve been in touch with the Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well-being.”
Hamlin was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft from Pittsburgh, with the Bills’ 212th pick overall.
He’s started for the Bills this season in place of an injured safety Micah Hyde, who suffered a neck injury in Week 2 and has been an injury backup since then. Monday’s Hamlin tied for second-most tackles on the team (91), has a forced fumble and 1.5 sacks this year, making 13 starts.
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier recently noted that Hamlin has developed over the course of the season, including progressing more as a vocal lead and improving as a catcher, while also throwing a lot on his plate quickly after having to tackle Hyde.
In the same Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans in which Hyde, Hamlin’s close friend and former college teammate, Bills cornerback, was injured Dean JacksonHe was taken off the field with a neck injury. Jackson missed one game.
One of the team’s MVPs in the 2016 class of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, Hamlin chose to play for Pitt at the expense of Ohio State and Penn State. He performed, becoming a three-year starter and one of the most reliable players on a defense that demanded a lot from him at the safety position.
In his final season at Pitt in 2020, Hamlin was a second-team All-ACC selection, leading the Panthers with 67 tackles and seven pass breakups. After Hamlin was drafted, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi told WGRZ-TV: “He’s got that heart. He’s got the leadership. I mean, our entire defense revolves around him. Damar’s going to step up there, show his skills. I think he’s so versatile.”
