Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin in ‘critical condition’ after collapsing on the field

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and was taken away in an ambulance after attacking football Monday night.

The spooky scene happened in the first quarter of the Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ohio’s Paycor Stadium. Hamlin tackled Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins, stood up, then collapsed.

Trainers surrounded him and medical staff performed CPR. An ambulance backed into the field and Hamlin was placed inside.

The 24-year-old’s team-mates could be seen crying and praying as they gathered around him on the field. About 20 minutes after the incident, officials announced that the game would be temporarily suspended until further notice.

After increasing calls for the game to be formally suspended, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell later announced that the game had been postponed.

Hamlin was in critical condition at a local hospital, the NFL said in a statement.

“Hamlin received immediate medical attention at the scene from a team and independent medical personnel, as well as local paramedics,” the statement said. “He was then taken to a local hospital where he is in critical condition. Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.”

Cincinnati FOX19 sportscaster Joe Danneman reported that Hamlin required a defibrillator and CPR at the scene and was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

The Buffalo Bills tweeted that “the thoughts and prayers of the entire Bills Mafia are with you, Damar.” The Bengalis said They “send our thoughts and prayers to Damar.”

Hamlin played college football at the University of Pittsburgh before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2021. In May 2021, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the Bills.

Social media has been flooded with good wishes for the player, who just a few days ago posted on Instagram about his charity’s third annual toy drive for children in need.

“As I embark on my journey into the NFL, I will never forget where I came from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me,” he had in one Wrote GoFundMe page for first ride. “I created the Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle to enable me to make that impact and the first program is the 2020 Community Toy Drive.”

That fundraiser, which had a goal of $2,500, was inundated with donations following Monday night’s incident, raising more than $900,000 in less than two hours.