On January 2nd, the highly anticipated NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was off to an energetic start. The atmosphere at Paycor Stadium was buzzing. This all came to a halt late in the first quarter when Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, suffered a blunt-force trauma injury to the chest causing him to go into cardiac arrest. His heart stopped for nine minutes and he had to be revived on the field. Both the Bills and Bengals teams came together in prayer on the field as CPR was being administered. Hamlin was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition. This unfortunate accident caused the NFL to cancel the remainder of the game.

Hamlin was released 9 days later and has been recovering at home. He has undergone a series of medical evaluations such as cardiac, neurological, and vascular testing. While it is currently unknown why Hamlin’s heart stopped, many cardiac specialists have suggested that he suffered a rare condition called “commotio cordis”. Commotio cordis is a condition in which an abnormal heart rhythm and cardiac arrest happen immediately upon an object striking the chest directly over the heart at a critical time during the heartbeat. It’s possible this phenomenon occurred when Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver, Tee Higgins. Although he is already on track for recovery, it is unknown whether he will return to play football ever again.

This incident shocked the sports world. The game’s play-by-play announcer, Joe Buck, said, “It was a nightmare. It certainly was nothing that anyone is ever prepared for. You have all that hype and buildup, and everyone can’t wait to watch this matchup, and in the snap of a finger, it’s completely different. Football just goes out the window.” 

Since Hamlin’s accident, sports fans all over have come together in support. His nonprofit organization, The Chasing M’s Foundation, has received over 9 million dollars in donations. Hamlin created this foundation to give back to the community and it is dedicated to providing toys to kids in need. 

We wish Damar Hamlin the best on his road to recovery.