The NFL rallies behind Damar Hamlin
NFL players and coaches are still in shock after witnessing Bills player Damar Hamlin collapse on the field, but they have come together to support him.
When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the football field on Monday night, we were all given an extremely painful reminder of just how dangerous this sport really can be. Watching it happen was haunting, and that was just from behind a TV screen. The players and coaches, Hamlin’s family, and everyone there to witness it in person, witnessed a horrific scene.
“It just shows that we are humans, and we try to go out there and put on a show, but at the end of the day, our safety and our life matters,” said Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome.
The NFL rallies behind Damar Hamlin
After such a tragic and difficult event, it leads one to wonder, what keeps people coming back to play and watch such a violent sport? Despite the fact that what happened to Hamlin was rare, there are so many other issues too. Look at what happened to Tua Tagovailoa when he had his concussion earlier this season, and many other players who have suffered from concussions in the NFL as well. Look at the long-term physical effects the game has on the body and the brain. And yet, we keep coming back to it.
The NFL does the best it can in advancing equipment and rules and technology to help limit physical injuries as much as possible, but the fact of the matter is that football will always be a dangerous sport.
The NFL is not just some other sport
But what we witnessed on the field that day, aside from the tragedy, and every day since then, is the community, the fellowship, and the love from everyone in the league, including teammates, opponents, coaches, and fans. Everyone rushed to Hamlin’s side immediately to rally behind him. The terror and compassion in their eyes was clear as day. There was no way that game was going to continue, but it was absolutely the right call by the NFL to stop it at that time.
Since then, the outpouring of love and support for Hamlin has not slowed down. Players and coaches have extended their love, their prayers, and their hopes for his recovery.
Hamlin showing “signs of improvement” but still in critical condition
“It sent chills through my body when I was watching it,” said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “All I did was just sit there and pray for him because that’s all you can do when you feel like you can’t help.”
Fans have now donated around $6 million to Hamlin’s foundation, which provides children in poverty with toys. At 24 years old, Hamlin is a football player, but he’s also impacted the lives of children he will never even know, has been a role model and hero for his community, and has the love of his family, teammates, and fans.
The Monday night game was postponed, but the NFL has not yet said when or even if they will reschedule it.
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They will, however, continue with the Week 18 schedule as originally planned. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll spoke to his players about how they feel about returning to the game on Sunday.
“They’re in different places [mentally] and they want to recognize exactly what needs to be recognized and the reality, but they also want to keep moving and they want to go,” said Carroll. “This is the game that we’ve chosen and the life that we’ve chosen.”
As for how the Bills and Bengals players feel about playing next week, well, there are mixed feelings.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow says he “probably wants to play”, but understands that some of his teammates may not. The Bengals are set to play the Ravens on Sunday. “There’s definitely some side discussions about that, but that’s not where we’re at right now,” said Burrow. “So we’ve got a game to play on Sunday.”
The Bills are set to play the New England Patriots on Sunday as their teammate Damar Hamlin remains in the ICU in critical condition in the hospital. NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent has not completely ruled out the possibility of postponing that game as well, but no formal discussions have happened regarding that possibility. Vincent said they would make that decision based on the well-being of the Bills players and coaches.
The Patriots and Bills both canceled their media availabilities for Tuesday and Wednesday. They practiced on Wednesday, but if Hamlin remains in critical condition, it is going to be a tough game for the Bills to play on Sunday.