WASHINGTON – Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after suffering a cardiac arrest during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and is in critical condition in hospital, his team said.
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game against the Bengals,” the Buffalo Bills said on their Twitter page.
“His heartbeat was restored on the field ... He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition,” the Bills said.
The seriousness of Hamlin’s condition was immediately obvious as his teammates gathered around him during treatment, with many of them kneeling to pray and some openly weeping.
Hamlin took a hard hit to the chest as he tackled the Bengals’ Tee Higgins during the first quarter of the match, stood up and then collapsed to the ground. Medical staff rushed onto the field to treat him.
He received medical attention for more than 30 minutes before being taken from the field in an ambulance.