CINCINNATI — Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old safety in his second season with the Buffalo Bills, was in critical condition in a hospital early Tuesday morning after collapsing on the field following a collision in the first quarter of a football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
About nine minutes into the game on Monday night, Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins after a 13-yard catch. Higgins rammed into Hamlin at full speed, appearing to hit him in the head and chest area. Hamlin quickly stood up, took two steps, collapsed backward and his body went limp.
Medical personnel administered CPR and attended to him for 10 minutes as players from both teams were visibly upset, some shedding tears on the sideline while others circled together and knelt in prayer.