Damar Hamlin In ‘Critical Condition’ After Cardiac Arrest During Bengals Game

The Buffalo Bills have confirmed that safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during the Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals,” a Bills spokesperson announced on Twitter. “His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”

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Hamlin, 24, was taken off the field in an ambulance in the first quarter when he collapsed on the field. He suddenly fell on his back moments after standing up from a tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and received CPR within minutes of collapsing. He was then transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center accompanied by his parents who were watching the game from the stands, according to ESPN.

Following his collapse, the other players gathered in an emotional moment before returning to their locker rooms. Three teammates removed their helmets and knelt, and players from both teams watched as Hamlin lay motionless on the field. Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs could be seen crying on ESPN’s footage. The Bills team and staff gathered on the field for prayer as Hamlin was taken away in an ambulance.

“After Hamlin was taken away by ambulance…some players just sat staring out at the field,” ESPN’s Lisa Salters said during the live broadcast. “Other players were hugging each other. Other guys were openly weeping.”

The game was suspended six minutes before the end of the first quarter and eventually postponed. NFL’s Executive Vice President of Operations, Troy Vincent, said he’s “never seen anything like it.”

“How do you resume play after you’ve seen such a traumatic event occur in front of you in real-time?” Vincent said.

Fans and fellow athletes have flooded social media with support for the Pennsylvania native.

In a press conference on Monday night, NBA player Klay Thompson sent his condolences to Hamlin and the city of Buffalo.

“As athletes, sometimes the game can overshadow us as individuals or people,” Thompson said. “And on behalf of the organization, we wish him the best. We’re keeping him in our prayers and hoping for the best possible outcome. [He is] just a tremendous person, and it’s bigger than sports.”