January 3, 2022 Damar Hamlin news

By Jessie Yeung, Aya Elamroussi, Rob Picheta, Seán Federico O'Murchú, Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt and Mike Hayes, CNN

Updated 4:24 p.m. ET, January 4, 2023

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4:24 p.m. ET, January 4, 2023

Damar Hamlin still sedated a day after collapsing from a cardiac arrest on the field, uncle tells CNN

From CNN’s Jamiel Lynch and Adrienne Broaddus

Dorrian Glenn, Damar Hamlin’s uncle, speaks with CNN about his nephew's condition. (CNN)

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin still was sedated Tuesday night after he suffered a cardiac arrest Monday during an NFL game, his uncle Dorrian Glenn told CNN outside of the University of Cincinnati hospital.

"I'm not a crier, but I've never cried so hard in my life. Just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life," Glenn said Tuesday.
"They sedated him just to give a better chance for him to just continue to heal better. We are just taking it day by day. It seems like he's trending upwards in a positive way," Glenn said, asking people to continue to pray for his nephew.

Hamlin's heartbeat was restored on the field as staff tended to him, the Bills have said, before he was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Hamlin was resuscitated only once, a family spokesman clarified Wednesday, not twice, as his uncle told CNN on Tuesday.

Hamlin still is in critical condition after the 24-year-old collapsed on the field during Monday night's game in Cincinnati, his team said Tuesday, a stunning moment that left players weeping, praying and embracing as their teammate was taken away by ambulance. Hamlin spent the night in the intensive care unit at the medical center, where he remained Tuesday, the team said.

“They sedated him just to give a better chance for him to just continue to heal better. We are just taking it day by day. It seems like he’s trending upwards in a positive way,” Glenn said asking people to continue to send prayers for Hamlin.

Glenn said that Hamlin did sustain some damage to his lungs and he’s on a ventilator to help with his breathing and to take some of the strain off of his lungs.

Glenn said both of Hamlin’s parents are by his side and were at the game when he collapsed.

Editor’s Note: This story had been updated to reflect the number of times Hamlin was resuscitated based on information from a family spokesperson and his uncle. Read the latest update here.

8:06 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

"We're all devastated": Bills player Dion Dawkins discusses team response

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins said the team has faced a lot of sadness since teammate Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest Monday and collapsed mid-game on the field.

However, there are "happy spirits" and "happy prayers" for Hamlin, he told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday.

"We're all devastated. When things like this happen, it’s a shock to all of us. It’s a dramatically unique thing that has happened and we’re all going through it together and, honestly, the entire world is. Everybody that has seen it, our whole country, every football fan, everybody who’s not even a part of football has seen and heard this story. So we’re all handling it in different ways, but it’s a unique situation.”

He described the moment he realized the severity of his teammate's injury Monday night.

“You kind of look around and you kind of see the medical staff doing their job, and you know when it’s like something minor like someone is down, but they’re sitting up, the guys are moving at a nice pace,” Dawkins explained.
“But when things like this are going on, like then they’re waving really fast and calling guys on the field and calling for the elite medical staff, that’s when you really realize that something is really, really wrong. And this was one of the first experiences for myself where something like this has happened in this type of way, where it silenced an entire stadium that was at an uproar half a play earlier.”

7:39 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Buffalo Bills players and staff still processing what they witnessed Monday night

From CNN's Coy Wire

Buffalo Bills players react after teammate Damar Hamlin was injured during a game against the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Monday in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Buffalo Bills players and staff are still processing what they witnessed Monday night when safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field mid-game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to a source within the team.

The Bills didn't land in Buffalo until 3:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday after they watched their teammate need to have his heartbeat restored on the field.

“Everyone is exhausted," the source told CNN.

it comes on top of a series of difficult situations faced by the team, including having to deal with the mass shooting which killed 10 people and wounded three at a Buffalo grocery store in May, the deaths of at least 39 people in Erie County, New York, due to the Buffalo blizzard, having their November home game moved to Detroit and getting stuck in Chicago during Christmas time, the source said.

As for Hamlin, the Bills are in a "wait-and-see mode," including the team's medical staff, the source said.

The Bills have not discussed any specific ways to help the family through this time as they are hoping there will be recovery, the source said.

The team is still determining how it will handle its typical, weekly media availability.

As of now, it is a day-to-day determination. "We will see what the appetite might be for anyone to speak,” the source added.

6:34 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

All 32 NFL teams change Twitter profile picture to "Pray For Damar"

From CNN's Wayne L. Sterling

All 32 NFL teams have changed their Twitter profile pictures to support Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin who suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during Monday night’s game in Cincinnati.

The profile picture reads "Pray for Damar" along with the number 3, which is the number displayed on Hamlin's jersey.

6:17 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Titans Rashad Weaver reflects on friendship with Damar Hamlin

Tennessee Titans Rashad Weaver talked about his friend Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, noting that they have been close for years.

"We just didn't play together. We're friends, teammates. I've known him now for seven years," the outside linebacker told reporters.

Both Hamlin and Weaver signed with the University of Pittsburgh in 2016 and left the school for the draft in 2021.

"That's a guy I talk to, whether it be on social media, text, Snapchat, Twitter, anything, at least probably once a week, constantly just telling each other how we see each other doing our thing each week, playing," Weaver said.

He said he was watching the Monday night game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals but initially missed the incident in which Hamlan collapsed.

But after seeing the replay, he was holding his breath, "like everybody else" and trying to figure out what happened, Weaver said.

4:18 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

University of Pittsburgh football coach on Hamlin: "The entire country has your back"

From CNN's Wayne Sterling

University of Pittsburgh head football coach Pat Narduzzi released a statement following Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's injury on Monday. Hamlin played his college ball at Pitt.

“Damar Hamlin is far more than just a football player," Narduzzi said on Tuesday. "He’s a loving son, brother and friend. Damar is a hero to thousands of Pittsburgh kids.

“Damar, we love you. We are praying for you. Pittsburgh’s always had your back. And now it’s obvious the entire country has your back, too.”

On Monday night, Pitt's football team tweeted that Hamlin "is the best of us."

4:15 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition. Here's what you need to know

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, 24, remains in critical condition Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest mid-game on Monday night, his team said.

Hamlin collapsed during the game, and his heartbeat was restored on the field, the Bills said. He was taken to a Cincinnati hospital.

The NFL said the game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals will not resume this week and that no decision has been made about playing it at a later date.

If you're just reading in now, here's what you need to know:

Hamlin remains in the ICU, Bills say: Hamlin remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit in critical condition, the Buffalo Bills tweeted Tuesday. "Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center," the team tweeted. "We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far."
Hamlin's family thanks supporters: Hamlin's family said in a statement Tuesday: "On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time," the statement read. "We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country." The statement was released on Twitter via Hamlin's friend Jordan Rooney.
NFL commissioner says the league remains in regular contact with doctors: In a memo sent to all NFL teams on Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shared a brief update on Damar Hamlin’s health status and outlined the decisions made since the injury occurred on Monday night. The memo, obtained by CNN, says Hamlin remains in the ICU, with Goodell noting the league is in “regular contact” with the medical team providing care for the Bills safety.
No date to resume Bills-Bengals game announced yet: The NFL said it "has made no decision regarding the possible resumption" of the Bills-Bengals game. It added that no changes have been made to the Week 18 NFL schedule.
NFL Players Association says focus remains on Hamlin: The NFL players union put out a new statement on Tuesday afternoon saying: "Our focus remains on Damar." The union said in a tweet that it continues to be in touch with the teams and the NFL "to ensure that Bills and Bengals players have every resource" available to support them during this time. In a follow-up tweet, the NFLPA encouraged its players to reach out if they need someone to talk to and linked to the union's mental health and counseling page on its website.

3:43 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's foundation has raised more than $4.4 million on GoFundMe, campaign says

From CNN’s Amanda Watts

Damar Hamlin leaves the field after an NFL football game on December 1, 2022, in Massachusetts. (Greg M. Cooper/AP/File)

An update posted on Damar Hamlin’s 2020 GoFundMe campaign said they are thankful for the “renewed support” for the fundraiser following his injury during Monday’s game.

“If you would like to show your support and contribute to Damar’s community initiatives and his current fight, this is the place to do so. This is the only current fund that is being used by the Hamlin Family,” the post said.

As of 2:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the GoFundMe had more than $4.4 million worth of donations.

The fundraiser was initially established in 2020 to support fundraising for Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, the post said.

“However, it has received renewed support in light of Damar’s current battle and we can’t thank all of you enough. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us,” the update said.

Leigh C. Lehman, director of communications for GoFundMe, told CNN in an email, "I can confirm the update was posted on behalf of the family and we are in touch with their representatives."

The foundation supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids camps and more.

2:28 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

NFL commissioner outlines timeline and decisions in league memo following Damar Hamlin's injury

From CNN's David Close

In a memo sent to all NFL teams on Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shared a brief update on Damar Hamlin’s health status and outlined the decisions made since the injury occurred on Monday night.

The memo, obtained by CNN, says Hamlin remains in the ICU, with Goodell noting the league is in “regular contact” with the medical team providing care for the Bills safety.

Read the full memo:

“During last night’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. Damar experienced cardiac arrest and was promptly resuscitated by on-site club physicians and independent medical personnel, all of whom are highly trained in implementing the plans for medical emergencies. Damar was stabilized and transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, a Level One trauma center, where he remains in the ICU.
After speaking with both teams and NFLPA leadership, I decided to postpone last night’s game and have our focus remain on Damar and his family. We are in regular contact with both clubs and with the medical team caring for Damar and will share additional information as we receive it.
Earlier today, the Head of Player Engagement and Team Clinician for each club received information from Dr. Nyaka NiiLampti about mental health and support resources that are available to your players and staff. Additional resources including on-site services can be available for any club that wishes this assistance. If your club would like to make use of these additional resources, please have your Player Engagement lead or Team Clinician contact Dr. NiiLampti.
A short time ago, and after discussions with the two teams and the NFLPA, we advised Buffalo and Cincinnati that last night’s game will not be resumed this week. No decision has been made regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date and we have not announced any changes to this weekend’s schedule. We will promptly advise all clubs of any decisions that are made regarding these matters. If you have any questions in the meantime, please call me or any of our senior staff.”