The shock does not seem particularly violent compared to the usual percussions. In the middle of an NFL game (the major American football league in the United States) on Monday in Cincinnati, Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills suffered a cardiac arrest after an impact in the chest while trying to stop an opponent from the Bengals. Following the tackle, the 24-year-old, who is in his second NFL season as safety (defender), got up first before suddenly collapsing to the ground.
Damar Hamlin “was the victim of a cardiac arrest after a shock during our game against the Bengals. His heart started beating again on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical center (in Cincinnati, editor’s note) for examinations and treatment. He is currently sedated and in critical condition.the New York State franchise wrote in a statement.
NFL player Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills has a cardiac arrest on the pitch. He is in critical condition. Nothing to see, move along…???????????? pic.twitter.com/ut975oDwLf
— David Vance (@DVATW) January 3, 2023
On the ground, Damar Hamlin had quickly received medical first aid, for more than half an hour, ESPN reporting that cardiac massage had been performed. When he was taken to hospital, the youngster was on oxygen and his family, who were watching the game, joined him in the ambulance, US sports channel ESPN reported.
Players from both teams gathered around him, many of them praying on their knees, some in tears. His Buffalo teammates, including quarterback Josh Allen, looked particularly shocked at the sight of their inert teammate. The crowd at the Cincinnati stadium fell silent and the television coverage faded away from the stage. The game was “temporarily suspended” after a discussion between the coaches of the two teams and the referees, and the players were ordered to return to the locker room.
While a resumption seemed to be considered – resulting in reactions of indignation on social networks – the NFL then published a press release confirming that the game was postponed indefinitely. She then announced that the young player from Pennsylvania (northeast) was “in critical condition”.
‘Terrible to see’
Fans of both teams spontaneously gathered, candles in hand, outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (northeast) where he was hospitalized, about six kilometers from the stadium.
Many messages have been published on social networks calling to pray for the Buffalo player, such as that of Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes: “I pray hard… Please get well man.” LeBron James, star of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), also reacted: “The health of players in all sports comes first. It was a terrible thing to see and I can only wish this youngster the best.”
American football, one of the most violent team sports, has faced growing concerns in recent years about concussions among players from blows to the head. Already strict, the protocol in force was further reinforced last October, with the prohibition for any player to resume a match in the event of a factor of global motor instability observed, whatever the reason.
This decision had been taken following a controversy during a match between Miami and Buffalo, already, at the end of September. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was present on the field despite a very violent shock received a few days earlier and had suffered a spectacular concussion.
This Monday, Cincinnati-Buffalo was the poster (Monday night football) of the 17th day of the NFL, the two teams, already qualified, competing for the best places for the play-offs which will end with the Superbowl, the championship final and the biggest annual sporting event in the United States, mid February.