Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin exits game via ambulance after scary collapse, requires CPR

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin exited Monday night’s game with injury via ambulance in a terrifying moment for players and fans. Hamlin 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.

Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapses, requires CPR on field

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.

Ultimately, the situation left such a terrible impact on the players involved in the game that the officials and coaches for both teams made the decision to temporarily suspend the game. Both teams went back into the locker rooms to gather their thoughts and emotions and make a decision on the future of the game.

The traumatic event resulted in one of the most scary sights that has taken place on a football field, and the status of Monday night’s game was just an afterthought to players and fans alike as they waited to see an update on the health of Hamlin — as players showed every emotion possible on the field while waiting for him to exit in the ambulance.

UPDATE Damar Hamlin requires CPR, AED on field

“I’m told Damar Hamlin has a pulse, but is not breathing on his own. He is being transported to UC. Needed AED and CPR on the field,” explained FOX19’s Joe Danneman.

The report appears to indicate exactly what led to the horrific scene on the field on Monday, as players surrounding Hamlin watched him receive CPR and treatment from an AED defibrillator.

Shortly afterward, the ESPN Monday Night Football broadcast provided some additional insight into the scary scene as well. Hamlin was loaded onto the stretcher and was nearly loaded into the ambulance when they made the call to administer CPR to him on the field.

UPDATE Damar Hamlin listed in critical condition

“I am told that Damar Hamlin has been intubated and is currently listed in critical condition,” detailed FOX19’s Tricia Macke.

The NFL ultimately postponed Monday’s game entirely, as players from both sides were unable to continue the game after the terrible moment.

UPDATE NFL releases statement on Bills vs. Bengals, NFLPA releases statement on Damar Hamlin

After a frightening moment involving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, the NFL has decided to suspend the Monday Night Football matchup. The Cincinnati Bengals were playing host before the game was temporarily suspended in the middle of the first quarter.

“The league is going to officially suspend play for this evening,” the ESPN broadcast said. “The game will not be played this evening.”

Initially, the NFL told players to take five minutes and warm up. They expected to just resume play and continue on without knowing the status of Hamlin.

Then, head coaches Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor got together and decided to send their respective teams to the locker room. Discussions were then had between them and the NFL back in New York.

Now, the game will no longer be taking place on Monday night. No rescheduled date has been announced at the time of posting.

The NFLPA released a statement shortly after the announcement of the game postponement:

 “The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin. We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.”

UPDATE Damar Hamlin’s marketing rep releases statement, health update

Bills safety Damar Hamlin remained on a breathing tube after suffering an on-field collapse that required CPR, according to an update Monday. Hamlin’s marketing rep released a statement with a new update on his condition, stating that his vitals had returned to normal but that he was put to sleep in order for the hospital to put a breathing tube down his throat.

“Update on Damar: His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests. We will provide updates as we have them,” explained his agent, Jordon Rooney.

UPDATE Stefon Diggs arrives UC Hospital for update on Damar Hamlin

ESPN NFL reporter Coley Harvey caught up with Stefon Diggs as he made his way into the hospital. He is just like the rest of us out there, wanting an update on Hamlin and praying it’s a positive one.

“He essentially expressed how much he needed to be here,” Harvey said on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. “People are the NFL, people around this team are desperate to know anything about Damar Hamilin’s status. And that’s exactly what I got from Stefon Diggs.”

Even people who are not too familiar with football are understanding the situation as well. A policeman who was protecting the hospital was originally going to stop Diggs from entering before some context was added. Diggs expressed how important seeing his teammate was and everyone involved understood.

“I walked with him toward the medical center,” Harvey said. “I can only go so far. He got to a cop and the cop was initially not going to let him in but he said ‘this is my teammate. I have to be here for my teammate. This is so frustrating right now. We just want to know what the news is on our guy.’

“The cop basically just let him go at that point. I actually had to vouch for him and explain who he was. That just goes to show you, not just the desperation, but that frustration of people who are closest to Damar Hamlin that they don’t have the news at this point.”

UPDATE Buffalo Bills release statement on condition of Damar Hamlin, cause of medical emergency

In the early hours Tuesday morning, the Buffalo Bills released a statement regarding the condition of Damar Hamlin, who left Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals in an ambulance after suffering a medical emergency on the field that required CPR. The team also shared what caused the situation.

At 1:48 a.m. ET, the Bills confirmed Hamlin went into cardiac arrest with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter as he went to tackle Tee Higgins. He was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center — a Level I trauma center — and was still in critical condition at the time of the statement.

“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals,” the team said. “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.”

UPDATE Family of Damar Hamlin releases first public statement

In its first statement since Hamlin’s injury, his family thanked the many people who’ve supported him.

“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” the statement read. “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country. We also want to acknowledge the dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar. We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they’ve done.

“Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us. Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them.”