The Buffalo Bills-Bengals game will not be continued this week, the NFL announced after Buffalo Bills safety Ja’Marr Chase fainted during a collision and was taken off the field by an ambulance. “The NFL has made no decision regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date,” the league stated in a statement on Tuesday. The regular season schedule for Week 18 has not been altered by the league. We shall keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.
According to a statement from the Buffalo Bills sent via Twitter at 1:48 a.m. ET, Hamlin collapsed after a hit and suffered cardiac arrest, causing the “Monday Night Football” game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals to be stopped in the first quarter.
The tweet stated that “his heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Centre for further testing and treatment,” confirming claims from the NFL and ESPN that the athlete had received CPR on the field. He is categorised as critically ill and under sedation right now.
Hamlin’s family issued a statement on Tuesday morning thanking everyone for their love and support.
The family wrote, “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.” “We also wish to thank the University of Cincinnati Medical Center’s committed first responders and medical staff for their outstanding care given to Damar.”
“We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organisation and to have their support,” the message went on. We also want to express our gratitude to the Bengals and Coach Taylor for all of their efforts. Your kindness and generosity are much appreciated by us. Please remember to pray for Damar.
Around 8:55 p.m. ET on “Monday Night Football,” the terrifying incident occurred when Hamlin stood up following his tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins before abruptly collapsing. Players from both teams appeared obviously upset as medical staff cared for Hamlin; ESPN reporters said that Bills players were crying in public. Shortly after Hamlin was driven off the pitch in an ambulance, the players gathered in a circle on the pitch.
The game was temporarily suspended around twenty-three minutes after Hamlin’s breakdown, following a conference between Bengals coach Zac Taylor and Bills coach Sean McDermott. With almost six minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Bengals led 7-3.
At 9:25 p.m. ET, the ambulance departed from the stadium and took the second-year Bills player to the closest trauma centre, University of Cincinnati Medical Centre. Joe Buck, the “MNF” commentator, said that Hamlin’s mother attended the game and went with him to the hospital.
At 10:01, Buck addressed the audience, saying, “This has been a jarring scene down on that pitch as players are watching a teammate and a brother go through intense CPR down on that pitch.”