Damar Hamlin in critical condition: live updates | Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals game suspended | NFL Week 17
The Monday Night matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals was stopped and suspended after Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, collapsed on the field in the first quarter.
Game suspended after Hamlin taken to hospital
The play took place with 6:30 left in the first quarter on a pass from Joe Burrow over the middle to Tee Higgins. Higgins caught the ball and was tackled by Hamlin, who initially got up, but then collapsed to the ground. Players from both teams immediately called for medics sensing the severity of the situation.
Team medics came to his aid immediately, and then an ambulance was brought on the field. He was administered CPR after he was put on a stretcher to be placed in the ambulance.
Once transported to UC Medical Center, doctors reported that his vitals were normal and he had been put to sleep to be able to put a breathing tube down his throat. His condition is still listed as critical.
Hamlin at UC Medical Center
Game officials originally suspended the game for five minutes, but after a conversation between coaches Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor the teams were sent to their locker rooms to await further word for the NFL.
The injury took place at 8:55 p.m. ET, and the ambulance left for the hospital at 9:25. An hour and six minutes after the injury, the NFL finally gave word that the game would be suspended for the night.
There is no word from the league on whether the game is to be continued, but at the moment that is the farthest thing on the mind of anyone as Hamlin continues to fight for his life in the Cincinnati hospital.
Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest
The Bills released a statement that Hamlin suffered from cardiac arrest. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was sedated. He is now listed as in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Hamlin's uncle outlines his nephew's condition
“His heart had went out so they had to resuscitate him twice. They resuscitated him on the field before they brought him to the hospital and then they resuscitated him a second time when they got him to the hospital."
“I’m just glad he’s still alive and able to fight and trying to get better and recover."
“They sedated him just to give a better chance for him to just continue to heal better. We are just taking it day by day. It seems like he’s trending upwards in a positive way."
If you don't know CPR, think about learning
It's a vital skill and one that's easy to learn.
Tribute to Damar
Every single team in the NFL has joined this social media tribute to Hamar.
Tom Brady has also offered his support and love to Damar Hamlin, saying everyone in Tampa is praying for the safety.
Bills - Bengals game will not resume this week
The NFL has confirmed that the Bills v Bengals game will not resume this week, due to the serious medical condition of Damar Hamlin. The safety is thought to have suffered a cardiac arrest during last night's game and remains in a critical condition in hospital.
More on this to follow...
Doctor gives his take on the Damar Hamlin injury
Speaking to CBS' This Morning, Dr David Agus outlines the situation on Buffalo Bills' safety Damar Hamlin. He collapsed during the game against Cincinnati Begals last night, appearing to suffer some kind of cardiac arrest on the turf. He has been taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition.
A personal thing
The Steelers coach spoke of "love and respect" when describing the very personal relationship he has with the Bills safety. Indeed, coach Tomlin went on to disclose that he's known Damar Hamlin since he was a child growing up in Pittsburgh.
A message from Damar Hamlin's family
One can scarcely imagine what family and friends must be going through at this time. All we can do is keep the young man in our thoughts and prayers, while continuing to remember that life, health and safety, should always be placed above any sporting allegiances.
It's safe to say that the FOX Sports analyst has a thing for controversy, but this is one time that he could have used his better judgement, assuming such a thing exists.
Colts' Rodney Mcleod Jr. thinks player safety should always be first
Following the terrible events that were witnessed during Monday Night Football's clash between the Bengals and Bills, when Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field, Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney McLeod Jr. said playing in the National Football League is a dream and it takes sacrifice, but the cost of that should never be anybody's life
"For us, the dream is real," he told CNN on Tuesday morning. "Even though we understand the dream comes with great sacrifice, we never want that sacrifice to be paid from the expense of anyone's life."
Where Hamlin is concerned, what we can say is that the 24-year-old Buffalo Bills Safety suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during the first quarter of Monday night’s game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. Though his vitals remain 'normal,' he remains in critical condition as per his team's confirmation.
"As players, injuries are always our deepest fear. ... But often, you know, we tend to try to remove any of those thoughts the moment we hit the field," he said, adding that it's common to see injuries like ligament tears, muscle strains, broken bones and concussions among others. "We've become very numb to it, unfortunately."
Interestingly, McLeod did acknowledge that Hamlin's situation was uncharted territory. "What we saw last night was something that we've never have seen before. In my 11 years in the NFL, I never experienced anything like that, and that brings the reality [of] the sport to life." The Colts player then went on to add his well-wishes for Hamlin's family and teammates, before acknowledging the league's timely response to the terrible event.
"I think they did a very good job. They put the concern of their players first," McLeod Jr. said. "[The teams] were not in the state of mind to be able to finish that game."
A word from a friend
As a friend of Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Jordon Rooney gave comment on the situation. Though there has been little change in the situation, Rooney did explain that Hamlin is a "fighter," before explaining that fans have offered support at the hospital itself.
“There’s nothing in consideration right now. Our concern is for the player and his well-being. At the appropriate time, I’m sure that we’ll have a conversation around the next steps regarding the game.”
-Jeff Miller, NFL executive vice president of communications, public affairs & policy
Donations have poured in to a toy fundraiser set up by Damar Hamlin in 2020, with over $3.1m now pledged to the campaign, whose original target was $2,500.
Fans gather outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Hamlin is being treated.
(Photo: Dylan Buell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Sports medicine specialist explains what could have happened to Hamlin...
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest
The Bills released a statement revealing that Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest.
He is in critical condition at the hospital and we will provide more updates as they become available.
Bills and Bengals fans gathered outside UC Medical center to show their support, thoughts and prayers for Damar Hamlin and his family. A few hours ago these two teams were battling for a potential top seed the AFC, and now both sets of fans are joined in unison hoping, praying and waiting for good news.
Bills star wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, was seen arriving at UC Medical Center where Damar Hamlin is being treated. Football is a brotherhood and your teammates are your family. Diggs showed up to be there for Hamlin and his family in this most difficult of times.
LeBron James had just finished helping the Lakers beat the Charlotte Hornets, and was asked about Damar Hamlin and the situation in Cincinnati. He had seen the play in the locker room, and had this to say in the post game press conference.
Some of the Bengals fans have made the trip from Paycor Stadium to UC Medical Center to show their support for Damar Hamlin who is currently in critical condition.
UPDATE:
There is a report out of Cincinnati saying that Hamlin's vitals have been restored, but he has been put to sleep so doctors can put a breathing tube down his throat.
There is still no update coming out of Cincinnati concerning the status of Damar Hamlin. He is still listed in critical condition at the hospital after getting transported from the stadium in an ambulance.
In situations like these, it's hard to come up with the right thing to say. ESPN's Ryan Clark had this brilliant message on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. Clark suffered a scary injury in 2007, when the former Washington Redskin was close to dying after a road trip to Denver. As a carrier of the sickle-cell trait, and the high altitude forced surgeons to remove his spleen and gall blatter.
Tee Higgins had absolutely no fault in what happened to Damar Hamlin at all, but this can't be an easy moment for him. His mother was at the game and came down to the locker room to console her son.
Look at the football commuinty rallying around the Bills saftey, and donating to his cause as his foundation's Toy Drive has received over $300,000 in the last hour.
You have to give it to the Bengals fans. They were exemplary tonight during a difficult moment. All of the fans showed their support for Damar Hamlin, and some even wrote a message sending love and prayers to Buffalo and Hamlin.
The NFL has made the decision to postpone tonight's game, and the league has released this statement.
You have to feel for Damar Hamlin's family at a time like this. His mother was in at the game in Cincinnati, she came down on the field and was in the ambulance with his as it left Paycor Stadium.
The game has finally been suspended for the rest of the evening, after the NFL decision has been made.
Many around Twitter, and other social media platforms are questioning why the NFL hasn't already made the decision to call the game.
This was just over a quarter of an hour ago, as Hamlin arrived at the hospital after getting taken of the field at Paycor Stadium.
Coach McDermott and Coach Taylor just met outside the locker rooms, and exchanged words, a hug and both had a phone conversation with someone. There is no proof to my statement, but I would assume they were talking to some one from the league.
Damar Hamlin's Alma Mater has sent their best to the Bills safety and his family. Hamlin spent 2016-2020 at the University of Pittsburgh before getting drafted by the Bills in 2021.
This gives you an idea of what kind of man Damar Hamlin is. A college kid, taking time out of his practice and school schedule and orgainizing a toy drive in his home town. Prayers up to a great player and a great man.
The outpouring of love and support on social media has been immediate and widespread. The Seahawks and teams around the league have sent their thoughts and prayers to Damar Hamlin.
No one in the world can imagine what is going on in the Bills locker room right now after seeing one of their brothers leave the field fighting for his life.
There is still no update of Damar Hamlin's status at the moment.
The teams have gone to the locker rooms and will have as much time as they need to return. It's hard to imagine what's going on in both locker rooms, but especially the Bills locker room.
Now the announcement on the field is that the game has been temporarily suspended, after a discussion from Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor.
The game is going to resume and the teams have 5 minutes to warm up before the game continues.
Hamlin has been taken off the field in an ambulence. We will give you any updates that we have, as soon as we have them.
Damar Hamlin is 24 years old, out of the University of Pittsburgh. He grew up in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He was taken in the sixth round of of the 2021 draft, and has recorded 65 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in nearly two seasons in the NFL.
The medics have been administering CPR to Hamlin.
The ambulences are on the field, and there are players on their knees, crying on both teams, and the stadium is silent right now.
Damar Hamlin is being stretchered off the field after a play in which he made the hit, got up, and dropped to the ground.
Scary scene in Cincinnati, and all you can do is hope and pray that Hamlin is ok.
Burrow finding Higgins over the middle, wide open and the WR took it 13 yards on the catch and run.
1st and 10 from the BUF 48.
Mixon gets seven yards on the first down run up the middle.
2nd and 3 fromt he CIN 39.
Cincy get the ball back and this time will get it at their 26 after and eventful run back which Williams fumbled, but his arm was down.
FIELD GOAL BILLS!!!
The Bills went all the way down the field, and got inside the 10 yard line, but were stopped on 3rd and short. Bass came on and hit the chip shot FG to put the Bills on the board for the first time tonight.
CIN lead 7-3 midway through the first quarter.
Allen looking left on a short throw to Beasley on the sideline but it slipped off his finger tips and falls incomplete.
4th 3 from the CIN 7 and BUF bring out the FG unit.
Allen grounded it after the play action roll out as it looked like he and the WR, Beasley, weren't on the same page.
3rd and 3 from the CIN 7 .
Allen finds Gilliam on the left side and that short pass is taken 7 yards on first down.
2nd and 3 from the CIN 7.
Cook gets a second straight run and he picks up 11 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 form the CIN 14.
Cook takes the first down run to the right side and picks up 7 yards.
2nd and 3 fromt he CIN 25.
Allen finds Diggs on the crossing route of the middle and he fired it in to his WR's chest who made a nice catch to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the CIN 32.
Allen showed play action on first down, scanned the field and tucked it again for a gain of 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the CIN 41.
Singletary gets the carry on 3rd and short and picks up the first down after a 3 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the CIN 46.
Allen tucking and running and he gets 9 yards on a run to the right side.
3rd and 1 from the CIN 49.
Allen looking left on the second play of the Bills night and looks left but that pass to McKenzie was short.
2nd and 10 from the BUF 42.
Here come the Bills on their first possession of the night and from the 25, Allen finds Diggs over the middle for a 17 yard catch and run.
1st and 10 from the BUF 42.
The Bengals wanted the ball after winning the toss and after watching the first drive you can understand why. Burrow marched Cincy right down the field and scored on their 7th opening possession TD.
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS!!!
Deep post route from Boyd and Burrow put it right on the numbers for the 14 yard touchdown!!!
Cincy lead 7-0 after the first possession touchdown.
Burrow looking for Hurst on the seam route and he makes the catch and LEAPS over a defender, at least he tried. He still got 21 yards on the play.
1st and 10 form the CIN 14.
Burrow calls his own number on 3rd and short and gets the first down on a 2 yard QB sneak.
1st and 10 from the BUF 35.
Mixon gets the run out of the shotgun and takes it up the middle for a gain of 5 yards.
They will have 3rd and inches after the break with BUF's Johnson slow to get up.
Burrow going back to the air and he finds Hurst in the flat for a gain of 4 yards.
2nd and 6 from the BUF 42.
Burrow going deep to Chase down the left sideline and White is flagged for a pass interference on the first play of the game
1st and 10 from the BUF 46.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM CINCY!!!
The Bengals won the toss and they want the ball first, and why not when you have Joe Burrow?
Cincinnati starts the first drive from the 25 after a touchback.
If you are logging on expecting to see some live update of the game, you are probabaly like me who was surprised to see the game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight. Most of the Monday Night games start at 8:15 maybe 8:20, but tonight we have to wait just a little longer before getting to the action in Cincy.
Tonight’s odds
According to Bet365.com the Bills come into Cincinnati as a 2.5 point favorites on the road and the Over/Under is 51.
I’m going with the Bills tonight on the road. I think they are finally rolling like they were at the beginning of the season and tonight they show up and stay at the top of the AFC.
Traveling band of fans
Bills Mafia always travel well so why wouldn't they show up for one of the biggest games of the year? Stefon Diggs is out and about pregame signing autographs and chumming it up with the fans.
AFC STANDINGS
We have two division winners featured in tonight’s game. The Bills wrapped up the AFC East last week as the Dolphins and the rest of the division started to fall back over the last month. The Bengals locked up the AFC North without even having to take the field. With Baltimore’s loss last night they were crowned division winners for the second straight year. They now have their sights set on the top spot in the division sitting just a game back of the Chiefs and the Bills, but know they will need to win tonight to have any chance at a first round bye.
| AFC East | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 bufBuffalo Bills | 12 | 3 | 15 |
2 neNew England Patriots | 8 | 8 | 16 |
3 miaMiami Dolphins | 8 | 8 | 16 |
4 nyjNew York Jets | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| AFC North | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 cinCincinnati Bengals | 11 | 4 | 15 |
2 balBaltimore Ravens | 10 | 6 | 16 |
3 pitPittsburgh Steelers | 8 | 8 | 16 |
4 cleCleveland Browns | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| AFC South | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 jaxJacksonville Jaguars | 8 | 8 | 16 |
2 tenTennessee Titans | 7 | 9 | 16 |
3 indIndianapolis Colts | 4 | 11 | 16 |
4 houHouston Texans | 2 | 13 | 16 |
| AFC West | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 kcKansas City Chiefs | 13 | 3 | 16 |
2 lacLos Angeles Chargers | 10 | 6 | 16 |
3 lvLas Vegas Raiders | 6 | 10 | 16 |
4 denDenver Broncos | 4 | 12 | 16 |
Allen looking to put on a show in Cincy
Josh Allen is going with the more conservative look tonight, as he knows it’s all business with he top seed and the first round bye on the line. Allen is one of the top Qbs in the game, but has thrown 13 picks this season. If the Bills are going to survive tonight with the top seed they will need to have their quarterback on target all night.
Joe Shiesty going low key
It’s certainly not THE show, but one of the best parts of Joe Burrow’s game days in his fashion sense. Call it swag. Call it confidence. Call it cocky. I call it fashion and the way Burrow has been playing over the last two season, he has earned the right to wear what ever he wants. Tonight he's going simple and classy for one of the biggest games of the year.
Buffalo last week
The Bills steamrolled the Chicago Bears last week at Soldier Stadium, as Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. The game was tight in the first half, but the Bills did a good job of containing Justin Fields on the ground and ran away with the game in the second half to keep their top seed in the AFC heading into the final two weeks of the season.
Cincy last week
Cincinnati jumped all over the New England Patriots in the first half of last weeks game in Foxborough. The Bengals scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the game, and Joe Burrow tossed his third TD of the game right before the halftime break to put Cincy up 22-0. The Bengals offense then went scoreless in the second half as Burrow threw two interceptions and fumbled one, but the defense forced a game winning fumble with under a minute left in the game with the Pats inside the 5 yard line to hold on to the 22-18 win.
We are live from Cincy
Hello everyone and welcome to Cincinnati where plenty is on the line in the penultimate week of the season. The Bills are currently occupying the top seed in the AFC, but they have the Chiefs hot on their tails. The Bengals have wrapped up their division but now have their sights set on the top seed and a first round bye, but they will have to beat the Bills if they have any shot of finishing on top of the AFC.
Bills vs. Bengals
We’ve got a huge Monday Night matchup between two Super Bowl hopefuls from Cincinnati as the Bengals host the Buffalo Bills. It’s one of the games of the week and we will have live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of this heavyweight showdown from Paycor Stadium.