It was supposed to be one of the most anticipated late-season games on the NFL slate, but it instead turned into a tragic and terrifying news story.
Near the end of the first quarter, as the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals had each completed one scoring drive, tragedy struck after Bills Safety Damar Hamlin made a tough tackle on the Bengals’ Tee Higgins.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was in critical condition after he collapsed on the field and needed CPR and an AED to be used on him before being rushed to the hospital.
The NFL announced it postponed the game between the Bills and Bengals.
“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition,” the league said in a statement.
The NFL and its related organizations made the call to postpone the game – an unprecedented situation for the NFL in relation to an injury.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
“The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
The NFL Players Association also released a statement on the matter.
“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 NFLPA said in a tweet. “The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.”
At the time of this writing, Hamlin is said to be in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
