Damar Hamlin: What We Know So Far

On January 2, 2023, the stage couldn’t have been brighter. The Buffalo Bills were in Cincinnati for a marquee Monday Night Football matchup. The stars were aligned; top-seed on the line, on primetime, fantasy football finals winding down, and the first Allen-Burrow showdown. All this juice brought the eyes, but our hearts left with Damar Hamlin.

With 6:12 left in the first quarter, Hamlin tackled Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins. The play seemed benign, albeit it did show Hamlin catching a barreling Higgins right into his chest. After the two tumbled to the ground, Hamlin rose for a brief instance, before collapsing backwards in a motionless state. The events that followed were both horrific and miraculous.

WHAT WE KNOW

Information and updates are fluid. As of Wednesday morning (January 4th), Damar Hamlin is still in critical condition at the UC Medical Center. His uncle, Dorrian Glenn, provided several updates.

Hamlin is currently on his stomach, sedated, and on a ventilator. He required resuscitation only on the field at Paycor Stadium. In positive news, he was able to progress from requiring 100% oxygen to 50%.

Prior to departing to the hospital, the team medical staffs and local paramedics had to handle a nightmare situation. It has been reported that Damar Hamlin was treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED) to treat his bout of cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is “the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness”.

Thankfully, with the swift medical management of all parties, Hamlin has a chance to recover.

With the current state of events, additional speculation is not appropriate. The cause of Damar’s cardiac arrest is up to the doctors to solve and, ultimately, for his family to announce. What we can do is send thoughts and prayers for his full recovery.

UPDATES (January 5th)

UPDATE (January 6th)

In iconic Bills Mafia fashion, the Chasing M’s Foundation has seen unbelievable support in honor of Damar Hamlin since his injury. The charity has received over $7.7 million (as of January 6th, 9:53 am) in donations for their toy drive. Hopefully Hamlin will see all the love and support he received soon.

Any proceeds generated from views on this article will be donated directly to Damar Hamlin’s GoFundMe, which can be found below. Please consider contributing if you can.

Featured Image: Duane Burleson/AP