Bills’ Damar Hamlin had to be given CPR after collapsing on the pitch and suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.
Doctors are now suggesting that the athlete may have suffered from a rare injury that is believed to only affect one in 264 million people.
Medics rushed on to the field in Cincinnati on Monday after the young footballer collapsed in the middle of a game.
The Buffalo Bills explained the star was hit in the chest with a tackle, but appeared to get back to his feet and adjust his helmet.
He then tragically began to stumble backwards and collapsed to the ground.
CPR was carried out on the footballer for almost 10 minutes before he was transported to hospital.
The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lDWNAOEPX4
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
The network cut to commercial break multiple times as Joe Buck and Troy Aikman spoke seriously about the horrific scenes that were taking place on the field.
ESPN doing a really good job covering the now suspended Bills vs Bengals game. Buck, Aikman, and Salters all with the right tone.
Studio folks helping out with Booger showing the emotion most viewers are feeling. pic.twitter.com/ttt5NC0cjk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 3, 2023
The Bills gave an update on the player’s condition, confirming his heartbeat had been restored.
They said:
“suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals”.
“His heartbeat was restored on the field, and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
The game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals was postponed.
A number of medical professional are now suggesting that the athlete suffered from a condition called commotio cordis.
The condition is extremely rare and is a ‘ventricular fibrillation precipitated by blunt trauma to the heart’, and is ‘an important cause of sudden death in young athletes’, according to a study.
Hamlin’s friend and rep has now spoken out to clarify the player’s current condition.
Jordan Rooney spoke on Good Morning America, and said:
‘I can’t speak specifically on his medical condition but I will say he’s fighting. He’s a fighter.
‘His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests. We will provide updates as we have them.’
“He’s fighting. He’s a fighter.” — @jordonr, a family spokesperson for Damar Hamlin, shares an update after the Buffalo Bills player collapsed on the field on Monday night. https://t.co/UJDqTL9GDk pic.twitter.com/9P5G8dCfUs
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 3, 2023
‘I needed to provide some clarity – he was awake at that time – now he is sedated. The family is in good spirits, we’re just taking it minute by minute, hour by hour.
‘His family is strong, supportive. Obviously they are worried. Damar is very close with his family.
‘There’s definitely been a lot of fans [at the hospital], a lot of traction, people coming by. But what’s most important is to give the family their privacy.
‘A lot of times you don’t view [athletes] as human, you know you watch them on tv. It’s important to remember this is a person.’
Multiple sources have now confirmed Damar’s ventilator has been reduced from 100% to just 50%, sparking hope he may be on the right path.
His uncle, Dorrian Glenn, told reporters outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center :
“Right now there’s just trying to get him to breathe better. Right now he’s on a ventilator just to help with the breathing.
“He’s got a bit of lung damage from yesterday, but he was at 100 percent on the ventilator helping him breathe, but now he’s at 50 percent, so that’s a good thing. Like I said, we’re just going to take it day by day. I’m grateful for all the prayers and support,”
Keep fighting, Damar!
