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Collapsed after tackle: Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin receives a cardiopulmonary massage on the field
Photo: Joshua A. Bickel / dpa
There was a serious accident in the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills: Damar Hamlin, defender of the Bills, collapsed during the game on Monday (local time) after a defensive action in the middle of the first quarter and had to be resuscitated on the field and was then taken to a hospital.
The American Football League said Hamlin's health was "critical."
The game was stopped when Cincinnati was 7-3.
“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field from the team, independent doctors and paramedics.
He was then taken to a local hospital and is in critical condition.
Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills.
As more information becomes available, we will share it," NFL boss Roger Goodell said in a statement.
Hamlin's agent, Ira Turner, said: "We don't have an update (on his condition) at this time.
Include the player's family in your prayers."
After Hamlin was transported off the field by an ambulance, Bills players gathered and knelt on the ground together in a circle.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott, opposite number Zac Taylor and the umpires then spoke and a decision was made to suspend play for the time being.
90 minutes after the start of the game, the NFL then announced that the game would be abandoned.
When and in what form it should be continued was not initially clear.
ok/dpa