The NFL, some of the violent staff sports activities, has been coping with rising considerations in latest years over concussion accidents for gamers from hits to the pinnacle.
Josh Allen (#17) of the Buffalo Bills reacts to teammate Damar Hamlin (#3) collapsing after making a deal with towards the Cincinnati Bengals in the course of the first quarter at Paycor Stadium on 2 January 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Picture: Dylan Buell/Getty Images/AFP
WASHINGTON – Buffalo Bills security Damar Hamlin collapsed throughout his sport Monday night time towards the Bengals and was taken to a Cincinnati hospital the place the NFL, who later postponed the match, stated he was in “critical condition.”
The medical emergency sparked an instantaneous outpouring of well-wishes from followers, commentators and different gamers, and introduced consideration again to the notably harmful nature of America’s hottest sport.
Part-way by the primary quarter of Monday night time’s matchup, Hamlin took a tough hit as he tackled the Bengals’ Tee Higgins.
He then stood up and immediately collapsed to the ground, with medical workers speeding onto the field shortly after.
Players from each NFL groups, clearly shaken by what they’d witnessed, gathered round Hamlin in the course of the therapy, which ESPN stated included CPR, with a lot of them kneeling to wish and a few overtly weeping.
Hamlin “was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition,” the NFL stated in a press release.
The crowd in Cincinnati remained silent and tv protection broke away from the scene on the field.
ESPN commentator Joe Buck stated that medical workers had been “pounding” on Hamlin’s chest and it was rapidly clear from the response of the gamers that the scenario was grave.
After the ambulance had left the field, reviews initially recommended the sport was going to restart following a five-minute warm-up, prompting an outpouring of anger on social media.
During ESPN’s broadcast of the unfolding occasions, Booger McFarland, a former NFL player and analyst, additionally referred to as for the league to desert the sport.
“Nobody is concerned about football right now… they are concerned about one thing, the health and safety of this young man,” he stated.
The two staff’s coaches conferred with referees, and gamers had been then informed to go to the locker room, whereas the sport was introduced “temporarily suspended.”
The NFL then issued a press release saying that league commissioner Roger Goodell had introduced the sport had been postponed.
“The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game,” the assertion concluded.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available,” the NFL added.
HAMLIN’S HEALTH ‘ONLY THING’ ON MINDS
Video footage confirmed that Hamlin had been hit in the higher chest space.
The NFL, some of the violent staff sports activities, has been coping with rising considerations in latest years over concussion accidents for gamers from hits to the pinnacle.
While accidents are frequent in the game, a number of observers stated it was the primary time they’d seen an ambulance enter the field to deal with a player.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” stated former quarterback Kurt Warner on NFL Radio.
The NFL Players Association stated they’d been in contact with gamers from each groups.
“The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin. We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being,” the union stated on twitter.
“Please pray for our brother,” tweeted Bills quarterback Josh Allen whereas gamers from throughout the league took to social media with related messages.
Some followers traveled to the University of Cincinnati hospital the place Hamlin was being handled, as did teammate Stefon Diggs.
The incident, broadcast in the course of the weekly nationally televised Monday night time sport, drew response from athletes in different sports activities.
“The safety of players in all sports is always the most important,” stated NBA star LeBron James.
“It was a terrible thing to see and I wish nothing but the best for that kid. I am a huge fan of the NFL and football and you never want to see anything like that happen,” he added.
The NFL did give any indication of when the sport could be continued or replayed.
Both the Bills and Bengals have already secured locations in the NFL’s playoffs, however the sport was necessary for each groups as they sought to get the number-one seed in the AFC.
That would deliver a bye and residential field benefit all through the post-season.
The NFL common season is scheduled to finish on Sunday with the playoffs beginning the next weekend.