CINCINNATI – The Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was postponed after a player collapsed and received CPR on the field.
Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old from Pennsylvania, tackled Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins at 8:55 p.m. Monday (Jan. 2) -- about nine minutes into the game.
After the play, Hamlin stood up briefly before collapsing on the field. The game was halted while trainers and medical staff members surrounded him and administered CPR.
ESPN also reported that Hamlin received oxygen.
An ambulance was brought onto the field for Hamlin, and he left around 9:25 p.m.
“No one’s been through this,” former NFL quarterback Troy Aikman said on the ESPN broadcast. “I’ve never seen anything like it, either.”
Once Hamlin had been driven off the field, teams were initially told play would resume after five minutes of warmups. Visibly emotional players and coaches quickly agreed to suspend the game around 9:15 p.m. The NFL announced at 10 p.m. that the game had been officially postponed.
Around 10:30 p.m., ESPN’s Coley Harvey reported that Hamlin was in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital.
Hamlin spent five years at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a second-team All-ACC honoree and team captain as a senior. He was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round in 2021.
As a starter this season, Hamlin entered Monday’s game with 91 tackles.
Hamlin’s toy drive, The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive, has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations since the game was halted. You can click here to visit the fundraiser and donate.
Here is the official statement from the NFL:
Here is the official statement from the NFL Players Association:
Current and former players around the league have tweeted their prayers and support for Hamlin.
Praying hard.. please be okay man. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 3, 2023
Everybody Needs To Go In Prayer For This Man‼️‼️
— Isaiah D. Buggs (@BigPooh_91) January 3, 2023
Chilling. Prayers for Damar Hamlin.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 3, 2023
Prayers for Damar and his family https://t.co/7bzLns8VxI
— Aidan Hutchinson (@aidanhutch97) January 3, 2023
The game is not important.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 3, 2023
Damar Hamlin’s life is important.
Please be ok. Please.
🙏🏼
Can’t remember being in a game where this has happened to a player and the game was suspended, hope he bounces back 🙏🏾
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) January 3, 2023
Damar Hamlin is the best of us.
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) January 3, 2023
We love you, 3. Praying for you. pic.twitter.com/fYymfFsynp
Please join me in prayer for Damar Hamlin 🙏
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) January 3, 2023
Father God, I pray that Damar Hamlin is okay and here with us. I also ask that he have a speedy recovery mentally & physically God; in Jesus name… Amen🙏🏾
— SAUCE (@iamSauceGardner) January 3, 2023
Lord we ask for a miracle! 🙏🏾
— Patrick Peterson /P2 (@P2) January 3, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with Damar Hamlin, his loved ones and the entire Bills organization.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 3, 2023
Unbelievably sad…. Heart is extremely heavy right now. Prayers for @HamlinIsland his health and the Hamlin Family now. Life is too important. Cherish every moment.
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 3, 2023
Prayers up for Damar…
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) January 3, 2023
Praying for Damar Hamlin and his family.
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) January 3, 2023
Praying for Damar Hamlin…the entire world is lifting this young man up.
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) January 3, 2023
Wow. I am praying for you @HamlinIsland. Praying for health and safety.🙏🏾
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) January 3, 2023
Never before have I ever witnessed anything like this. The game doesn’t matter. Praying for Damar and his family. 🙏#billsmafia @BuffaloBills
— Jim Kelly (@JimKelly1212) January 3, 2023
I wanna send a prayer to Damar and his family . 🙏🏽
— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) January 3, 2023
Love you 3 prayers 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️ stay strong got your back always
— Tyler Boyd (@boutdat_23) January 3, 2023
Praying to God Damar has a full recovery.
— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) January 3, 2023
🙏🏾3️⃣
— JTH⁴✨🐐 (@Jthouston_4) January 3, 2023
Prayers up.. 🙏🏽
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) January 3, 2023
Prayers up for D Ham 3️⃣ 🙏🏾💙
— Ifeatu Melifonwu (@Ifeatu_Mel) January 3, 2023
Come on 3 🙏🏾
— Miles Sanders (@BoobieMilesXXIV) January 3, 2023
Praying to God Damar Hamlin makes it out of this safely and healthy... prayers up everyone 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Cade York (@YorkCade) January 3, 2023
Prayers up man🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Jermaine Johnson II (@ii_jermaine) January 3, 2023
Praying for Damar Hamlin!
— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) January 3, 2023
Puts life into perspective quick.. prayers to Hamlin 🙏🏽
— Allen Lazard 👑 (@AllenLazard) January 3, 2023
