Pat Narduzzi releases statement on Damar Hamlin following cardiac arrest

Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi released a statement on Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who collapsed on the field Monday night. Hamlin played for Narduzzi at Pitt before being drafted by the Bills in 2021.

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest following a tackle made on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. 

Hamlin, 24, is in his second year with the Bills after they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He emerged as a key piece of the defense as he started 14 games over the last two seasons.

“Damar Hamlin is far more than just a football player,” Narduzzi said in a statement. “He’s a loving son, brother and friend. Damar is a hero to thousands of Pittsburgh kids. Damar, we love. We are praying for you. Pittsburgh’s always had your back. And now it’s obvious the entire country has your back too.”

Hamlin played five years at Pitt under Narduzzi. He finished his Panthers career with 275 total tackles, 185 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six interceptions, 21 pass deflections and one fumble recovery.

As a member of the Class of 2016, Hamlin was a four-star prospect out of Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 11 cornerback in the class and the No. 121 overall prospect in the class.

Hamlin exited Monday night’s game with injury via ambulance in a terrifying moment for players and fans. He appeared to be injured on a tackle he made in the first quarter that ended with him getting back up to his feet seemingly okay after the play.

Quickly afterward, Hamlin stumbled and collapsed on the field — leading to a lengthy break in the game as he was attended to by medical staff with players surrounding him.

The broadcast returned during the break several times during the horrific moment, and players appeared to be in distress from what was happening on the field. The broadcast provided a small update to the situation, indicating that medical staff was performing CPR on Hamlin.

After another extended break during the broadcast as medical staff continued to work on Hamlin, another small update indicated that he had been successfully placed on a backboard and stretcher, but had not yet been fully taken in the ambulance. As Hamlin was loaded into the ambulance, he was receiving oxygen as well from the medical staff.