Player collapses during NFL game
The 24-year-old player from Buffalo Bills collapsed during the game against Cincinnati Bengals. The American athlete was resuscitated on the field and taken to a hospital.
The Monday night NFL game between Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was suspended after player Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field and received urgent medical assistance before being taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
Hamlin was hit, stood up, and then fell to the ground. He received medical attention for more than 20 minutes.
"Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field from the team, independent medical staff, and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition," the league said in a statement.
The players gathered around Hamlin and many of them kneeled to pray during the treatment.
The game, which was initially halted temporarily, was then suspended indefinitely.
The crowd in Cincinnati remained silent and the TV coverage shifted away from the scene on the field.
Hamlin, 24, received oxygen as he left after being placed on a stretcher, and his family, who was watching the game, joined him in the ambulance.
Reports said Hamlin had been taken to UC Medical Center.
Initially, reports suggested that the game would resume after a five-minute warm-up, but after discussing with the team coaches, the players headed to the locker room and the game was suspended.
Booger McFarland, ESPN analyst, said the NFL should cancel the game.
"Nobody is concerned about football at this moment... they are concerned about one thing, the health and safety of this young man," he added.
Video images showed Damar Hamlin being struck on the upper chest.
"I've never seen anything like this before," former quarterback Kurt Warner said on NFL Radio.
The NFL Players Association (NLPA) said it had been in contact with players from both teams.
"The NFLPA and everyone in our community are praying for Damar Hamlin. We have been in contact with the Bills and the Bengals players, as well as the NFL. The only thing that matters right now is Damar's health and well-being," the union said. "Please pray for our brother," tweeted Bills quarterback Josh Allen, while players from across the league took to social media with similar messages. AFP