The NFL community kept their team rivalry aside on Monday to come together as one after Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Both Bills and Bengals fans gathered outside the hospital to pray for the 24-year-old player who remains in critical condition. Videos surfaced on Twitter that showed supporters from both teams lighting candles outside the medical center.
Buffalo Bills said in a statement on Twitter in the early hours of Tuesday. “Damar Hamlin 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.”
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Moments after an open field tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin fell on his back. The Bills team trainers rushed to the spot where he has collapsed within 10 seconds and started treating the player. In less than five minutes, an ambulance was brought onto the field.
Hamlin received CPR and was then taken to the hospital. Dr. Anthony Cardillo, an emergency room specialist, told CNN early Tuesday morning that Hamlin’s recovery could depend on how long he was in cardiac arrest after he collapsed.
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“We know that he’s a young 24, healthy, conditioned athlete. He’s in the greatest possible situation to come back to a normal life at this point, but our prayers are with him to make sure he does recover like that,” Cardillo said.
