Sporting fans around the world were rocked when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin experienced sudden cardiac arrest during his team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After being hit, the 24-year-old went down on the field as his distraught teammates and fans alike watched nervously. On the field, medical personnel administered CPR and attended to him for 10 minutes as players knelt in prayer. Moments later, Hamlin was placed on a stretcher and transported to the hospital. The game was abandoned.
For many, the moment was a jarring one. While NFL has long been known to be a dangerous sport, with mounting concern for the injuries sustained by players – many of which experience the consequences of such a high-impact contact sport for the remainder of their life – enjoyment and a sense of play has long obscured the danger, or at least pushed it to the periphery. But Hamlin’s shocking experience served as a powerful reminder of the painful reality of a sport that sees individuals braced for impact.
Team officials have since revealed that Hamlin’s heart stopped after he was hit during a play in the first quarter, with his heartbeat later being restored by medical personnel on the field before he was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre. There, he underwent further testing and treatment, before being sedated.
While Hamlin’s team has since taken to the field, the star player has been in everyone’s thoughts and although still critically ill, he is showing noticeable improvement. A statement via Twitter from team officials read: “Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin…While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact,” adding that the 24-year-old’s “lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress.”
According to reports, when Hamlin first woke up in the ICU, the first thing he asked through writing was who won the game. The response from his care team came: “You won. You’ve won the game of life.”
One of Hamlin’s doctors, Timothy Pritts, MD, also confirmed that Hamlin’s brain function seems to be okay. “It’s not only that the lights are one. We know that he’s home. It appears all the cylinders are firing within his brain.” It’s expected that there will be more testing on Hamlin now that he’s no longer intubated, with doctors saying a full neurologic assessment is required to determine if he has any deficits.
Hamlin has reached out to express his gratitude towards fans and players alike, who were quick to showcase an outpouring of love and support for the young star and the inevitable long road to recovery that lies ahead. “When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” wrote Hamlin in an Instagram post. “The Love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!”
Hamlin’s severe mid-play injury has prompted further discussion of NFL player safety, with former player Ryan Clark calling this “a side of football that no-one ever wants to see,” adding that viewers at home “should remember that these men are putting their lives on the line to live their dream.”
