By: Samuel Lin
The Bills’ players, coaches, and staff were kneeling in a circle. Players were sobbing, hugging, patting one another on the back, and praying for Damar Hamlin. The Bengals were kneeling in support, hoping, and praying for Hamlin as well. During those nerve-wracking, emotional, interminable 19 minutes in which Damar Hamlin lay collapsed on the field, players from both teams, fans from both teams, and viewers were all hoping for Damar Hamlin.
During the Week 17 game on January 2nd, the Buffalo Bills played the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. Nine minutes into the game, Damar Hamlin made a routine tackle on Bengal’s receiver Tee Higgins, who rammed Hamlin in the chest. Just seconds after getting up to his feet, Hamlin collapsed due to cardiac arrest.
Medical officials on the field rushed to give aid to Hamlin. One medical official administered CPR before Hamlin was put on a stretcher and whisked to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was treated in the intensive care unit.
Hundreds of doctors and nurses, such as Dr. William Knight IV, attended Hamlin.
“A few extra minutes or even a few extra seconds and it could have been a different outcome,” said Dr. William Knight IV.
Due to the teams of doctors, Hamlin recovered quickly, and within a few days, was able to communicate with the doctors through writing and nodding or shaking his head. The following Friday, he was able to walk and get his breathing tube out.
“This is the beginning of the next stage of his recovery,” Dr. Knight said. Hamlin would have to spend the next couple of months recovering and supporting his team from the sidelines.
After the incident, many players and athletes reached out to support Hamlin.
Tee Higgins tweeted, “My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIsland the Hamlin Family. I’m praying that you pull through bro.”
Tom Brady and countless other players donated a total of $5.5 million dollars within the 24 hours of Hamlin’s injury to Hamlin’s toy drive. Many football teams had a pregame support moment for Hamlin, and certain players wore a “Love for Damar 3” shirt during the pregame warmup.
After the inundation of support, Damar Hamlin showed his gratitude. “The love is felt, & extremely real,” Hamlin tweeted.
Damar Hamlin was able to cheer his team on as they took on the Patriots and the Dolphins. When the Bills took on the Bengals in a Divisional Round rematch on January 22nd, Damar Hamlin was there at the stadium. He visited his team during halftime and was shown cheering on the jumbotron.
“Just his presence was a warm feeling,’’ Bills quarterback Josh Allen said after the game. “Obviously, we wanted to play for him and continue our mission.”
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/damar-hamlin-injury-update.html