Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
The football world has been at a standstill since 24-year-old Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed on the Cincinnati Bengals' field Monday night, and the NFL has announced that the suspended game will not resume this week.
It was a horrifying scene at Paycor Stadium after Hamlin made a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin stood up following the hit, suddenly went limp, and then collapsed. According to a team statement, Hamlin's heart stopped after the play at approximately nine minutes into the game. Medical personnel immediately went into action, performed CPR, and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an effort to restart the heart, according to WXIX-TV in Cincinnati. Hamlin received on-field treatment for at least 20 minutes before being rushed to a local hospital.
So far there have been no changes to the week 18 schedule, but the fallout from the incident has been wide-reaching. Several NFL teams slated for media interviews on Tuesday revoked their availability including the Indiana Colts and Houston Texans.
A GoFundMe fundraiser for Hamlin's 2020 toy drive campaign has seen an influx of donations and shattered the $2,500 goal, raking in more than $4.5 million.
His family issued a statement Tuesday thanking medical responders for providing "exceptional care" and the Bengals.
Anticipation around Super Bowl LVII was already mounting with the reveal of Rihanna as the halftime performer and now the league has unveiled its full slate of scheduled performances for the big day.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) and Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) motion for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of an NFL division round football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Damar Hamlin was released from a Buffalo hospital and will continue to recover at home, just 10 days after the Bills player collapsed on the field and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Bills players held up three fingers in recognition of defensive back Damar Hamlin, who wears the number 3 on his jersey, as the crowd chanted "Hamlin! Hamlin!" Hamlin is recovering in a Cincinnati hospital after going into cardiac arrest at a game on Monday.