Buffalo Bills player in critical condition after collapsing in game: NPR

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills is checked during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday in Cincinnati.

Jeff Dean/AP

Hide caption

Switch caption

Jeff Dean/AP

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills is checked during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday in Cincinnati.

Jeff Dean/AP

Buffalo Bills football player Demar Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday in a Cincinnati hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills said.

On Twitter, the Biles said Hamelin’s heartbeat resumed while on the field and that he was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center “for further examination and treatment.” The team said Hamelin was sedated.

The University of Cincinnati Medical Center is the area’s only Level I trauma center, the same facility that treated Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa earlier this season after he was sacked and suffered head and neck injuries during a game against the Bengals.

Hamlin’s condition was announced after the NFL suspended Monday night’s game between the Bills and Bengals.

Meanwhile, football fans from both teams began gathering at UCLA Medical Center early Tuesday, holding a vigil for Hamlin.

In a statement released by the NFL, league commissioner Roger Goodell said, “Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by an independent medical team 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 said.

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

Quarterbacks Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jordan Boyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills take a knee after Damar Hamlin of the Bills collapses after making a tackle during the first quarter at Baycor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dylan Boyle/Getty Images

Hide caption

Switch caption

Dylan Boyle/Getty Images

Quarterbacks Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jordan Boyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills take a knee after Damar Hamlin of the Bills collapses after making a tackle during the first quarter at Baycor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dylan Boyle/Getty Images

Hamlin, 24, collapsed in the first quarter after colliding with Bengals receiver T Higgins. Finishing the tackle Higgins, Hamlin stood squarely and took a step forward before stopping and collapsing backwards.

Bills players immediately pointed to the sidelines for help from their coaching staff. Hamlin was off for 10 minutes, as medical personnel showed up to give Hamlin CPR before he was taken off the field.

Players from both teams gathered around him, both sides looking dazed. The Bills gathered for a mass prayer as he was carried away.

Tributes have poured in from NFL players — including the Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen who tweeted: “Please pray for our brother.” Wide-billed receiver Stephon Diggs was seen in the hospital, too.

There is no information about Hamelin or the care he is receiving, UCLA Hospital spokeswoman Amanda Nagelissen told National Public Radio. It is also unclear when hospital officials might brief the media.

No date has been announced for the resumption of the game.

Hamlin is in his sophomore year in the NFL after being drafted in the 2021 sixth round by the University of Pittsburgh.