After a new drama in the NFL, America in shock.
Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin was hospitalized in Cincinnati in "critical condition" after collapsing in the middle of an American football championship game on Monday, January 2, following a violent blow.
An incident that recalls the dangerousness of this number one sport in the United States.
The 24-year-old "went into cardiac arrest after a shock during our game against the Bengals. His heart started beating again on the field and he was transferred to UC Medical center (from Cincinnati, editor's note) for examinations and treatment. He is currently sedated and in critical condition," the New York State franchise wrote in a statement.
When he was taken to hospital, the youngster was on oxygen and his family, who were watching the game, joined him in the ambulance, US sports channel ESPN reported.
Fans of both teams spontaneously gathered, candles in hand, outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (northeast) where he was hospitalized, about six kilometers from the stadium.
Bengals and Bills fans gathered to pray outside the hospital where Damar Hamlin is receiving care
(via @caraphoto23) pic.twitter.com/v6uGDvtaHx
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 3, 2023
Stupor in the stadium
During the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Damar Hamlin, who is in his second season in the NFL as a "safety" (defender), received a violent blow while making a tackle.
He stood up before suddenly collapsing to the ground.
Damar Hamlin received prompt medical attention on the pitch, lasting more than 30 minutes, with ESPN reporting that cardiac massage was performed.
Players from both teams immediately gathered around him, many of them praying on their knees, some in tears.
Buffalo players, including quarterback Josh Allen, appeared particularly shocked at the sight of their inert teammate.
The crowd at the Cincinnati stadium remained silent and the television coverage faded away from the stage.
The match was announced "temporarily suspended" after a discussion between the coaches of the two teams and the referees, and the players were ordered to return to the dressing room.
While a resumption appeared to be considered – resulting in outraged reactions on social networks – the NFL then issued a press release confirming that the game was postponed indefinitely.
According to television footage, Hamlin was struck in the upper part of his chest.
Strict protocol
The many messages published on social networks call to pray for the Buffalo player, such as that of the star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes: "I pray hard... Please get well, man".
The star of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) basketball team, LeBron James, also reacted.
"The health of players in all sports comes first. It was a terrible thing to see and I can only wish this youngster the best," he wrote.
Praying for you kid!!!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/cC3ZsnpsjR
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 3, 2023
American football, one of the most violent team sports, has faced growing concerns in recent years about concussions among players from blows to the head.
Already strict, the protocol in force was further reinforced last October, with the prohibition for any player to resume a match in the event of a factor of global motor instability, whatever the reason.
This decision was made following a controversy during the game between Miami and Buffalo at the end of September.
The Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, was present despite a very violent shock received a few days earlier and had suffered a spectacular concussion.
This Monday, Cincinnati-Buffalo was the poster ("Monday night football") of the 17th day of the NFL.
The two teams, already qualified, were competing for the best places for the play-offs which will end with the Superbowl, the championship final, in mid-February.
With AFP
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