Who is Damar Hamlin and what’s his story?

The Incident

On January 2, 2023, during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after tackling wide receiver Tee Higgins. Sports commentators described the tackle as seemingly routine, but Hamlin remained motionless on the field after the play. Team trainers and paramedics rushed to his side within 10 seconds and performed CPR, automated external defibrillation (AED), and other treatments for 10 minutes. Hamlin was eventually administered oxygen and an intravenous solution (IV) and was transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. There, he was reported to be in critical condition and was intubated.

Later that night, the Bills reported that Hamlin had initially suffered cardiac arrest and that his heartbeat had been restored on the field. The game was suspended at roughly 9:16 p.m. with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter and was postponed for the night. The NFL later announced that the game would not be resumed that week and that it had not yet made a decision on rescheduling. On January 5, the NFL announced that the game would be cancelled and that both teams would finish the season with a 7-9 record.

Damar’s Toy Drive

In the days following the incident, the Bills and the Bengals announced toy drive campaigns in Hamlin’s honor. The toy drives aimed to raise money and collect donations for children in the local area. In addition, both teams announced that they would be wearing special decals on their helmets during their final games of the season to honor Hamlin and raise awareness about the importance of cardiac health.

The play where Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest was seen on live television by millions of viewers around the world. Many people were shocked and saddened by the incident, and there was an outpouring of support for Hamlin and his family on social media. Many people also praised the quick actions of the team trainers and paramedics, who likely saved Hamlin’s life.

While it is not yet clear what caused Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cardiac health and the need for quick action in emergency situations. It is also a reminder of the dangers that professional athletes face every time they step on the field. In the coming weeks and months, it is likely that more information will be released about Hamlin’s condition and his recovery. In the meantime, the thoughts and prayers of the entire sports community are with him and his family.

More Resources

Medical expert weights in on what happened to Damar Hamlin [MSNBC]