The young Buffalo Bills safety, aged 24, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed while participating in Monday night’s game.
Expressing their heartfelt appreciation, the family of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety, extended their gratitude for the genuine care and requested prayers as the 24-year-old athlete remains in critical condition. This distressing incident occurred when he collapsed on the field during ESPN’s broadcast of “Monday Night Football.”
A statement credited to the Hamlin family, shared by Jordon Rooney and endorsed by the NFL, conveyed the family’s deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support received during this difficult period.
“We are incredibly touched by the genuine prayers, kind words, and generous support coming from loyal fans all across the country.”
“Your incredible acts of benevolence and empathy hold immense value for us. Kindly persist in holding Damar in your contemplation and supplications,” expressed the message, assuring the audience of forthcoming updates. As per a declaration issued by the Bills, Hamlin encountered a cardiac cessation subsequent to a forceful impact during the initial period of the match on January 2.
Following the successful interception of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin momentarily rose before descending onto his posterior.
The medical staff successfully revived Hamlin’s heartbeat right on the field, after which he was transferred to the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he remained as of January 3, as reported by the Bills.
With 5 minutes and 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Bengals were leading the Bills 7-3 when the game came to a halt.
In an unprecedented move, the NFL decided to postpone the game approximately an hour later, and on January 3, it was announced that the game would not be resumed during week 18.
Eric Wood, a former Bills player present at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, described the scene as “unbelievable” during an interview with TODAY.
“The stadium, which was once filled with anticipation and the loudest, most electrifying atmosphere I’ve ever experienced, suddenly fell into complete silence,” Wood recalled.
“Right from the moment Damar fell to the ground, there was a noticeable shift. This situation felt much more severe than usual, and that was evident from the reactions of the players,” he continued.
Hamlin’s teammates, along with teams throughout the league, expressed their prayers and well wishes for the 24-year-old athlete.
“Damar, you have the unwavering support and prayers of the entire Bills Mafia. 🙏” a tweet from the Buffalo Bills conveyed, referring to the nickname given to their fans.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen took to Twitter, urging everyone to pray for their teammate, stating, “Please pray for our brother.”
In a tweet accompanied by the prayer hands emoji, the Bengals expressed their thoughts and prayers for Damar.
In a remarkable display of solidarity, fans also made generous contributions to a community toy drive organized by Hamlin in 2020, aimed at providing toys to children in need during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although this toy drive is unrelated to Hamlin’s current medical situation, the outpouring of support has led to donations exceeding $4.2 million, illustrating the immense care and backing from fans.