Buffalo Bills Give Update on Safety Damar Hamlin After On-Field Collapse

Buffalo Bills players huddle and pray after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 collapsed on the field after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium on in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 2, 2023. Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after he was hit during the “Monday Night Football” game against the Cincinnati Bengals before he collapsed on the field, the Bills confirmed Tuesday morning.

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

The incident took place during the first quarter as the Bengals led the game 7–3. After Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow threw a pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin attempted to make the tackle.

But Hamlin remained on the ground for several minutes and had to get CPR from medical staff before he was rushed out of Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium to the UC Medical Center for treatment. Players from the Bills and Bengals gathered around the player to pray.

A friend of Hamlin’s, Jordon Rooney, wrote: “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.”

Later, the NFL announced it had postponed the game between the Bills and Bengals. It’s not clear when it will take place.

Buffalo Bills players react after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 was injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 2, 2023. Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

“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,” the NFL said in a statement after the incident. "Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

The statement added that “the NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game,” while the NFL Players Association released a statement.

“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 NFLPA said via Twitter. “The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.”

Siran Neal #33 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 was injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 2, 2023. Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

Fans gather for a vigil at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for football player Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, who collapsed after making a tackle during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 2, 2023. Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Hamlin was selected as the No. 212 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after a college career at the University of Pittsburgh, playing 14 games in his first NFL season. For the 2022–23 season, Hamlin played all 16 games until the injury.

The ESPN broadcast claimed that two teams were provided a five-minute warm-up period before they tried to resume the game. However, the NFL denied there were attempts to restart play.

“Never crossed my mind to talk about warming up to resume play,” NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent told reporters during a conference call, the New York Post reported. “That’s ridiculous, insensitive, and not a place we should ever be in.”

More Responses

Hamlin’s family issued a statement on Tuesday to several news outlets regarding the player’s condition, saying that “on behalf of our family, we express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time.”

“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,” they said. “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.”

On Monday night, his family came down from the stands to be with him as he was transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Local media said fans from both teams waited outside the hospital and held candles.

“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.”

A number of other players, meanwhile, offered their support on social media.

“Please be ok man,” tweeted retiring Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt. “Please pray for our brother,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen tweeted.

Reuters contributed to this report.