Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on field, team says

CINCINNATI (WKRC/AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest “following a hit in our game versus the Bengals,” the Bills posted on Twitter early Tuesday morning.

His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment,” according to the post. “He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”

Hamlin's family shared a statement later on Tuesday, thanking fans for their outpouring of love and support.

We are deeply moved by the prayer, kind words, and donations from fans around the country," the family said. "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. We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bill organization and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they've done. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us. Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them."

Monday night's Bengals game was suspended with 5:58 left in the first quarter because Hamlin required CPR after collapsing following a tackle.

The NFL Players Association released a statement about the incident:

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 only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.”

The NFL then released a statement that it agreed with the NFLPA to suspend the game.

Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, and after Hamlin got up following the hit he fell backward to the ground.

Officials then gathered with both Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and Bills head coach Sean McDermott and it was announced the game was being suspended pending further notice.

The Bengals were ahead 7-3 and had the ball.

Medical personnel from both teams immediately rushed onto the field and were seen performing chest compressions on Hamlin. The CPR lasted approximately nine minutes before Hamlin was then placed in an ambulance and taken from the field.

No one’s been through this,” longtime NFL quarterback Troy Aikman said on an ESPN telecast. “I’ve never seen anything like it, either.”

Players and coaches from both teams looked distraught throughout the situation.

Moments after the ambulance left, both teams went to their respective sidelines and it appeared the game would resume. But the Bills left Paycor Stadium shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning to return home to Buffalo.

Hamlin was surrounded by stunned players from both teams, and when he was taken off the field 16 minutes later, the Bills gathered in prayer.

While medical personnel were gathered around Hamlin, his uniform was cut off and he appeared to be getting CPR. ESPN reported on its telecast that Hamlin was also given oxygen. He was strapped to a backboard and moved into the ambulance.

The game was suspended 21 minutes after the injury, and players walked off the field slowly. The game has been officially suspended until further notice, according to ESPN.

The 24-year-old Hamlin spent five years of college at Pitt -- his hometown -- and appeared in 48 games for the Panthers over that span. He was a second-team All-ACC performer as a senior, was voted a team captain and was picked to play in the Senior Bowl.

He was drafted in the sixth round by the Bills in 2021, played in 14 games as a rookie and then became a starter this year once Micah Hyde was lost for the season to injury.

Entering the game, the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin had 91 tackles, including 63 solo tackles, and 1 1/2 sacks.

The NFL said they are in "regular contact" with the medical team that's caring for Hamlin, aa well as the Bills and Bengals organizations, along with the NFL Players Association.

After speaking with both teams and NFLPA leadership, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the clubs today that the Bills-Bengals game will not be resumed this week," according to a statement from the NFL. The NFL has made no decision regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date. The league has not made any changes to the Week 18 regular season schedule. We will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available."