LeBron James and NFL stars send well wishes and prayers for Damar Hamlin
More major athletes and NFL stars have offered their well wishes for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital.
"Praying for you kid," tweeted basketball icon LeBron James.
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted that he was "praying for health and safety."
Similar messages came from Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, and free agent Odell Beckham Jr.
The Cincinnati Bengals, who had been playing the Bills before Hamlin's collapse, tweeted that it was "sending our thoughts and prayers to Damar."
University of Cincinnati Medical Center is seen in Cincinnati on Monday, January 2. (Jeff Dean/AP)
Buffalo Bills player Stefon Diggs has arrived at the University of Cincinnati Hospital, an ESPN broadcast showed.
His teammate Damar Hamlin was transported to the hospital late Monday after collapsing on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The NFL said in a statement more than an hour ago that Hamlin was in critical condition.
1:23 a.m. ET, January 3, 2023
Damar Hamlin, 24, made his NFL debut in 2021
Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to a game in Miami Gardens, Florida on September 25, 2022. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills player who collapsed during Monday night's game, joined the team in 2021 as a sixth-round draft pick.
The 24-year-old Pennsylvania native spent the 2016-20 seasons playing for the University of Pittsburgh.
Hamlin grew up in McKees Rocks, in western Pennsylvania, and attended high school just a few blocks from the Pittsburgh campus, according to his player bio for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
It added that he had redshirted — meaning he sat out on games while remaining on the team — in 2016 due to injury. The NFL site added that he also missed time due to injuries in 2017 and 2019.
According to the Buffalo Bills' official website, the 6-feet tall, 200 lbs safety played 14 games during his rookie season with the Bills in 2021 and made 15 appearances in 2022.
11:13 p.m. ET, January 2, 2023
In photos: Hamlin's collapse on the field
Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills tackles Tee Higgins #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during the first quarter of Monday night’s game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin fell on his back just moments after getting up from an open field tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Hamlin and Higgins fell to the ground from the impact of the tackle during the first quarter. (Joshua A. Bickel/AP)
Hamlin is examined on the field. (Jeff Dean/AP)
An ambulance was brought onto the field and he was administered CPR, according to an ESPN broadcast.
Video footage and photos from the ground show team trainers and paramedics rushing to his side on the field within 10 seconds of him collapsing.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen reacts as Hamlin is examined. (Jeff Dean/AP)
Bills players huddle and pray after Hamlin's collapse. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Hamlin's Bills teammates appeared visibly distressed, huddling together on the field as CPR was administered to him.
Hamlin was then transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he is now in critical condition, according to a statement from the NFL.
Players look on as an ambulance arrives on the field. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The game was officially postponed, the NFL said.
Fans look on as the ambulance leaves carrying Hamlin leaves the stadium. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Siran Neal reacts after teammate Hamlin's injury. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
An announcement is displayed on the scoreboard as the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills is postponed. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
12:04 a.m. ET, January 3, 2023
Former NFL player Coy Wire: "Never seen a response from a hit like that"
From CNN's Aya Elamroussi
Former NFL player and CNN reporter Coy Wire expressed shock after the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“There didn't seem to be any direct hit to the head or neck area. His head didn't even look like it got jostled all that much. So, I can't assume what type of injury this might be,” Wire told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Monday.
Hamlin fell on his back on the field just moments after standing up following an open field tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Wire, who played nine seasons in the NFL and currently serves as a CNN sports anchor, said the collapse was shocking.
“Never seen a response from a hit like that,” he said.
Visibly emotional, Wire noted that sympathies should be sent to Hamlin’s family and his loved ones.
“I'm trying to keep my composure for you because I think it's important that we send prayers, think about Damar, think about his family,” Wire told Cooper.
Wire also praised the NFL’s move to suspend the game after Hamlin's collapse.
“I'm so proud that the NFL has suspended the game because I think maybe 10 years ago, that might not have happened,” he said. “The importance placed on players' safety nowadays, they stopped the game. I think that's progress.”
11:01 p.m. ET, January 2, 2023
Here's how things unfolded at the Paycor Stadium
Monday night's game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was postponed after Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed mid-game.
Here's a timeline of events:
At 8:55 p.m. E.T., Hamlin made an open field tackle on a Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, with both players falling to ground. Hamlin rose to his feet for several seconds but then fell backwards to the ground. An ambulance was brought onto the field, and Hamlin was administered CPR.
At 9:18 p.m. the game was temporarily suspended, at 5:58 of the first quarter.
At 9:25 p.m., the ambulance carrying Hamlin left the stadium.
At 10:01 p.m., the game was officially postponed. In a statement, the NFL confirmed Hamlin was in critical condition at a local hospital.
10:46 p.m. ET, January 2, 2023
Team trainers got to Damar Hamlin within 10 seconds after he collapsed
Buffalo Bills team trainers got to Damar Hamlin within 10 seconds after he collapsed on the field mid-game, and an ambulance was on the field less than five minutes afterward, video footage shows.
Hamlin received immediate medical attention by "team and independent medical staff and local paramedics," the NFL said in a statement.
Hamlin is in critical condition in the hospital, with the game officially postponed.
10:51 p.m. ET, January 2, 2023
Sports community united in concern after collapse of Damar Hamlin during Monday night game
From CNN's Wayne Sterling
The US sports community was united in expressing concern Monday night after the collapse of Damar Hamlin during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.
"The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin. We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being."
Hamlin's alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, said:
"Damar Hamlin is the best of us. We love you, 3. Praying for you."
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, said:
"Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition. "Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available. "The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game."
