Emotion and concern remained strong on Tuesday around Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, still hospitalized "
in critical condition
" after suffering cardiac arrest following a terrible shock suffered on Monday during an American football championship game ( NFL).
“
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 New York State franchise tweeted.
The day before, she had announced that the 24-year-old had “
suffered from cardiac arrest after a shock during the game against the Bengals.
His heart started beating again on the pitch and he was transferred to hospital for examinations and treatment.
He is currently sedated and in critical condition
.”
Hamlin initially received medical first aid quickly, lasting more than half an hour, with ESPN reporting that cardiac massage was performed.
We were then playing the first quarter between Bills and Bengals, and the "
safety
" (defender), who is in his second season in the NFL, had just collapsed to the ground, just after recovering from a violent shock in making a tackle, at the level of his chest.
A terrifying sequence seen on a national channel by millions of viewers, attending this match between two candidates for the Super Bowl, in a packed stadium suddenly silenced.
Within it, players from both teams gathered around him, many of them praying on their knees.
Some were in tears.
Extremely rare incident
When transferred to the hospital, Hamlin was on oxygen and was joined by family members present at the game.
Fans of both teams spontaneously gathered, candles in hand, in front of the medical facility located about six kilometers from the stadium.
The NFL, which has postponed the game indefinitely, “
has not yet made a decision regarding its possible resumption at a later date
,” it said in a statement Tuesday, adding that it would not have in any event not happening this week.
The governing body of this collective sport, both the most popular and the most violent in America, has until now mainly had to deal with growing concerns about concussions suffered by players, following blows received in 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 observed, whatever the reason.
A decision taken following a controversy during a match between Miami and Buffalo at the end of September.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was present on the field despite a very violent shock received a few days earlier and had to be stretchered out after suffering a concussion.
Fractures and ligament ruptures are also very common, but an incident such as cardiac arrest is extremely rare.
There is only one precedent, dating from 1971, when Chuck Hughes, player of the Detroit Lions, was the victim during a match against the Chicago Bears, without having previously suffered a shock.
He had a family history and died in hospital while both teams worked to finish the game.
Strong emotion
Many NFL stars have posted messages of support on social media or to remind people of the risks of the sport.
"
Moments like this show in a different light what it's like to play the sport you love
," wrote legendary Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) star LeBron James insisted that “
the health of players in all sports comes first.
It was a terrible thing to see
”.
Even President Joe Biden who "
learned about the horrible news
" was moved by it, hoping "
that Hamlin's state of health will improve quickly
", according to the spokesperson for the White House.
On Tuesday, Hamlin's family expressed their "
sincere gratitude
" for supporting Damar "
during this difficult time
," in a statement.
She praised the "
players, kind words and donations from fans across the country
," as well as "
the first responders and medical professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who provided her with exceptional care
."