A scary situation occurred on the football field during a live game when one NFL player collapsed and had to be taken to the hospital. The game was eventually postponed.
During Monday night’s broadcast of a contest between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, after being involved in a tackle, Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin fell to the ground after seemingly looking okay after the play. It was later discovered after he collapsed that he suffered a cardiac arrest.
According to NFL.com, the 24-year-old player is currently sedated and is listed in critical condition.
The Buffalo Bills released a statement regarding the emergency on the field.
“Tonight’s Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced.
“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available. The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
The incident took place at the beginning of the game when the Bengals were winning by the score of 7-3 with a little over six minutes remaining in the first quarter. After tackling Bengals wide receiver, Tee Higgins after he caught a pass, Hamlin got up and within seconds, fell backward and was lying on his back.
The defensive back then received CPR while on the football field. The Bills stated that Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored on the field before he was taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment.
A statement was released by the Buffalo Bills early this morning.
“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.”
Hamlin was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bills. He recently made his first career start in Week 3 of this current season after Buffalo safety Micah Hyde suffered a season-ending injury. He has been in the starting lineup since that week.
The team has rallied around Hamlin offering up a slew of support.