At the start of a new year for NFL games, one of the scariest instances to occur during a football game had fans rattled when the Buffalo Bills took on the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2^nd. During the first quarter of the game, Damar Hamlin had collapsed to the ground because of a cardiac arrest right after tackling the Bangals’ wide receiver, Tee Higgins. Initially there was no panic but as a few moments passed and Hamlin was not moving, panic started to set in and the medical team at the venue rushed him to the hospital where he could receive the medical help that he needed. When Hamlin was on the floor, fans could see how Hamlin’s unfortunate collapse had affected his teammates. Many of his teammates could be seen crying because of the uncertainty and scare that came with his collapse.

The game was cancelled. Hamlin was in critical condition as he was in the ICU for a few days. He has since recovered from this incident and the moment when he was able to communicate, he had asked the hospital staff who had won the game by writing it on a piece of paper. The staff responded by saying that he had won. He had won the game of life, which is more important than the game. The amount of concern and love that Hamlin received from the fans was heartwarming and he has shown his gratitude for all the support he received whilst he was recovering. Hamlin is 24 years old and an incident like this, is a cause for concern. Hamlin’s passion and resilience is what fans recognize and is the reason why he remains motivated to carry on with his career. The quick response by the medical staff in the venue deserve to be given their full credit for playing a part in saving Hamlin’s life.

Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart. 🫶🏾

Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling.

The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more.

Bigger than football! 🫶🏾

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 9, 2023