The NFL has been roundly slammed for initially trying to restart the sport between Cincinnati and Buffalo after Damar Hamlin’s on-field collapse.
Hamlin made a routine sort out on Bengals star Tee Higgins with the 2 showing to conflict helmets within the hit.
The 24-year-old acquired again to his toes momentarily earlier than stumbling and falling flat onto his again on the turf.
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Scary scenes unfolded as emergency companies rushed onto the sector earlier than CPR was administered after which oxygen was given to Hamlin.
He was taken to a neighborhood hospital and is in a crucial situation.
Hamlin’s advertising and marketing rep mentioned: “His vitals are again to regular they usually have put him to sleep to place a respiration tube down his throat. They’re at present operating assessments. We’ll present updates as we have now them.”
The incident occurred throughout the first quarter of the much-anticipated match between the Bengals and Payments on prime time Monday Evening Soccer.
The conflict between the 2 Tremendous Bowl contenders was suspended and finally postponed, however solely after a prolonged delay the place the NFL appeared desirous to proceed the sport and have a end result.
ESPN commentator Joe Buck mentioned officers gave every group a five-minute warm-up earlier than play can be resumed, regardless of the surprising scenes with gamers in tears and praying for Hamlin’s well being.
When the 2 groups had been knowledgeable of the NFL’s resolution, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor walked over to Payments head coach Sean McDermott they usually determined to ship their groups to their locker rooms.
Taylor and McDermott had been then seen on the telephone, reportedly with senior NFL officers, earlier than the choice was finally made an hour later to postpone the match.
The very fact the NFL was even keen to contemplate restarting and enjoying the sport after Hamlin’s surprising collapse was met with anger and disbelief by followers.
“Doable (even doubtless) that Zac Taylor and Sean McDermott saved the NFL from itself tonight,” ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenburg wrote.
“Tonight’s Buffalo Payments-Cincinnati Bengals sport has been postponed after Buffalo Payments’ Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell introduced,” the NFL mentioned in an announcement.
“Hamlin obtained speedy medical consideration on the sector by group and unbiased medical employees and native paramedics. He was then transported to a neighborhood hospital the place he’s in crucial situation.
“Our ideas are with Damar and the Buffalo Payments. We’ll present extra data because it turns into accessible.
“The NFL has been in fixed communication with the NFL Gamers Affiliation which is in settlement with suspending the sport.”
