Damar Hamlin #3 via Buffalo Bills web site
(The Slice): Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest while on the field in the first qaurter of the game Monday night. In a contest between the Bills and Cincinatti Bengals he collapsed following a tackle. Fans in the stands and online nervously awaited a response after he was given CPR. Officals did not give any reassuring signs indicating the incident was serious.
Hamlin, 24, was transported to a local hospital where he remained in critical condition as of late Monday.
The team provided the following statement online:
NFL STATEMENT ON BILLS-BENGALS GAME
Tonight’s Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced.
Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported 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.
The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.
Later on Monday Hamlin's marketing rep Jordan Rooney provided an additional status report about the player's condition on Twitter: “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.”
This frightening incident brought the entire team to its knees as they gathered in a circle on the field, kneeled together and prayed.
The game was delayed for about an hour and then suspended.
As a show of support, millions of dollars in donations have poured into a toy drive Hamlin sponsored.