American football: Athletes and fans pray for Damar Hamlin after on-field collapse

NEW YORK – Athletes, public figures and fans alike took to social media on Monday to share prayers and concern for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a game.

Hamlin, 24, was taken to a hospital on Monday night in critical condition when he collapsed after a collision in the first quarter of a National Football League (NFL) game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The game in Cincinnati was halted as medical staff quickly attended to him while players from both teams took a knee. Hamlin was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation before being taken to a hospital.

The NFL later announced the game had been postponed.

“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals,” the Bills said in a statement.

“His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Centre for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”

Hamlin’s family came down from the stands to be with him as he was transported to the hospital. Local media said fans from both teams were standing outside the medical centre waiting for news, some holding candles.

It was unclear when the game would be concluded.

The NFL said in a conference call that the Bills would be returning to Buffalo and that a decision on the game would come later.

“That’s not our consideration right now, our concern is for the player and his well-being,” Jeff Miller, NFL executive vice-president of communications, public affairs and policy, told reporters.

“I am sure at the appropriate time we will have a conversation around the next steps regarding the game.”

The NFL Players Association also said Hamlin’s health was the No. 1 priority.

“We have been in touch with the Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL,” it said.

“The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well-being.”

Several NFL teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, the Seattle Seahawks, the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, posted messages on Twitter offering prayers for Hamlin.

His condition also drew the attention of the sports community beyond football, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL) side Boston Bruins.

“We join the sports world in keeping Damar Hamlin and his family, friends and teammates in our thoughts,” the Bruins said on Twitter.

Outside the sports world, Robert Iger, chief executive of The Walt Disney Co, and Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey said on Twitter that they were praying for Hamlin.

“We are all Buffalo Bills fans tonight,” Murphy said.

Robert Griffin III, who played in the NFL for several seasons, took to Twitter to call for more than just prayers for Hamlin.

In one post on Twitter, he asked his followers not to share the video of the moment of Hamlin’s collision and collapse. Instead, he asked others to share a photo in which a group of players knelt on the field to pray for Hamlin.

“No one cares about this game at all any more,” Griffin said in another post. “Praying for Damar Hamlin the man, the son, the brother and the friend. What just happened was traumatic to so many but all that matters right now is that he STAYS WITH US.”

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers said after his NBA game on Monday night against the Charlotte Hornets that Hamlin’s collapse was “a terrible thing to see”.

“The safety of players in all sports is always the most important,” James said.

“You never want to see anything like that happen even in the type of competition that they’re playing in.”

Reggie Gilliam, a Bills fullback, said on Twitter: “The whole nation is behind you, 3,” referring to Hamlin’s jersey number.

“The whole world,” he said in a follow-up tweet a few minutes later. NYTIMES, REUTERS