What happened to Damar Hamlin? Here’s what we know about the Buffalo Bills player’s cardiac arrest
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is back on the field for training to get ready for the fall season, as head coach Sean McDermott said in July he’s good to go.
The 25-year-old suffered cardiac arrest in January on the field during Monday Night Football, leading to a nine-day hospital stay in Buffalo. He revealed in April a blow to the chest caused his heart to stop, a condition known as commotio cordis.
The NFL player collapsed during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. He spent the days that followed in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the hospital.
What happened in the Monday Night Football game?
With 5:58 to go in the game’s first quarter, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was running the ball, hit Hamlin, a 24-year-old safety, in the chest with his helmet during a play. Hamlin dragged Higgins down to the ground. Hamlin stood up right after — but a few seconds later, collapsed.
Medical personnel attended to Hamlin for 19 minutes on the field, The Associated Press reported, and Hamlin received both CPR and required an automated external defibrillator. CBS Sports reported he was placed on a stretcher, then put in an ambulance, where he was given oxygen, to be taken to the hospital.
The remainder of the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was postponed.
The Bills said Hamlin had suffered cardiac arrest and his heartbeat was restored on the field, and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He was sedated and listed in critical condition, the team said.