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CINCINNATI (AP) – Buffalo quarterback Damar Hamlin was listed in crucial situation early Tuesday morning after the Payments mentioned he suffered cardiac arrest throughout a Monday Night time Soccer sport that was postponed indefinitely.
Hamlin collapsed on the sector within the first quarter of a nationally televised sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals and was handled for about 20 minutes earlier than being taken to the hospital.
“Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after being hit in our sport in opposition to the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the sector and he was transported to UC Medical Heart for additional analysis and therapy,” the Payments mentioned in an announcement. “He’s at the moment sedated and in a crucial situation.”
Household consultant Jordon Rooney, who described himself as a very good pal of the participant, instructed ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday that Hamlin’s family are in good spirits however are going by way of loads and wish their privateness. He declined to supply particulars on Hamlin’s situation aside from to say he’s sedated.
“I can solely say that he’s combating. he is a fighter,” Rooney mentioned.
In a harrowing scene, Hamlin was administered CPR on the sector, ESPN reported, as he was surrounded by teammates, some in tears, as they shielded him from public view. He was damage whereas tackling the Bengals’ Tee Higgins on a seemingly routine play that did not appear unusually violent.
The NFL introduced Hamlin’s situation shortly after he was taken to the hospital, however neither the league nor the hospital launched every other particulars concerning the 24-year-old’s situation. The crew’s announcement got here earlier than his flight again to Buffalo early Tuesday morning. There was no fast replace on the additional standing of the sport.
On the play the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin was injured, Higgins took the lead on the suitable shoulder, which hit the defensive again within the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arms round Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to drag him down. Hamlin shortly stood up, appeared to regulate his face masks together with his proper hand, after which about three seconds later fell again and lay immobile.
Hamlin was handled on the sector by crew and unbiased medical personnel and native paramedics and brought by ambulance to the College of Cincinnati Medical Heart. Teammate Stefon Diggs later joined Hamlin on the hospital.
About 100 Payments followers and a handful of Bengals followers gathered on a nook a block from the emergency room entrance, some holding candles.
NFL govt vp Jeff Miller instructed reporters throughout a convention name early Tuesday morning that the league has not made plans to play the sport right now, including that Hamlin’s well being is the principle focus.
An ambulance was on the sector 4 minutes later when Hamlin collapsed whereas many gamers hugged, together with quarterbacks Josh Allen of Buffalo and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati.
“Please pray for our brother,” Allen tweeted.
Hamlin collapsed at 8:55 p.m., and when he was introduced on the sector after what appeared like an eternity, about 19 minutes later, the Payments gathered for a prayer. A couple of minutes after the ambulance left the sector, the sport was halted and the gamers slowly made their manner off the sector and into their locker rooms, the place they waited for information from Hamlin and the sport.
“I’ve by no means seen something like this since I have been enjoying,” NFL govt Troy Vincent, a six-time Professional Bowl cornerback in his profession, mentioned on an early Tuesday morning convention name. “Instantly my gamer hat went on, like, how do you resume enjoying after seeing a traumatic occasion in entrance of you?”
Hamlin’s uniform was reduce off as he was attended to by medical personnel. ESPN reported on its broadcast that Hamlin was additionally given oxygen.
Vincent mentioned the league didn’t take any steps to restart the sport or ask gamers to start out a five-minute warm-up interval, as ESPN broadcasters had introduced.
“It by no means occurred to us to speak about warming as much as restart the sport,” Vincent mentioned. “That is humorous. It is insensitive. That is not the place we should always ever be.”
Vincent mentioned the Billers have been returning to the crew facility in Orchard Park, N.Y., early Tuesday morning, apart from a number of gamers who stayed with Hamlin.
There was a heavy police presence at Buffalo Niagara Worldwide Airport when the crew arrived at 2:45 a.m. A small group of followers gathered throughout the road from the gamers’ car parking zone close to the airport. Police blocked off the highway for the gamers to go away.
The Bengals took a 7-3 lead into the primary quarter of the first-seeded AFC playoff sport. Cincinnati entered with an 11-4 document and a one-game lead within the AFC North over Baltimore, whereas AFC East champion Buffalo was 12-3.
“The NFLPA and everybody in our neighborhood are praying for Damar Hamlin,” the gamers union mentioned in an announcement. “We have been in touch with the Payments and Bengals gamers and the NFL. The one factor that issues proper now could be Damar’s well being and well-being.”
The unfinished sport has main playoff implications because the NFL enters the ultimate week of the common season and the wild-card playoffs are scheduled to start on Jan. 14.
The aftermath of the damage was harking back to when Payments tight finish Kevin Everett lay immobile on the sector after the opening kickoff of the second half in Buffalo’s 2007 season opener in opposition to the Denver Broncos.
Everett suffered a spinal twine damage that originally left him partially paralyzed.
Hamlin spent 5 years in school in his hometown of Pittsburgh, showing in 48 video games for the Panthers throughout that span. He was a second-team All-ACC performer as a senior, was chosen as a crew captain and was chosen to play within the Senior Bowl.
He was drafted by the Payments within the sixth spherical in 2021, performed in 14 video games as a rookie, then turned the starter this yr when Micah Hyde was misplaced for the season with an damage.
As of Tuesday morning, Hamlin’s toy drive had reached greater than $3.7 million. His said aim was $2,500.
Kathryn Bersani and her mom, Gail, have been among the many Payments followers who traveled from Buffalo for the sport and went from the stadium to the hospital.
“That is our household Christmas,” Catherine Bersani mentioned. “We thought it was going to be an awesome sport. Joe (Barrow) and Josh (Allen) are such nice individuals. Unhappy, unhappy time. Such a shock. I simply hope he can dwell a traditional life. It shocked us.”
Chuck and Janet Kohl went to the hospital after watching the sport at house.
“This can be a lot extra essential than soccer,” Chuck Kohl mentioned. “Ought to have come and prayed for Mr. Hamlin.”
Coming into the sport, Hamlin had 91 tackles, together with 63 solo, and 1 1/2 sacks.
The tweet from Pitt’s soccer account was clear and concise. “Damar Hamlin is the most effective of us. We love you, 3,” the tweet learn, referring to Hamlin’s school jersey quantity. “I am praying for you.”
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AP freelancer Jeff Wallner, AP Professional soccer author Rob Maaddy and AP sports activities writers John Wavrow and Ben Nuckols contributed to this report.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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