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Collapsed after tackle: Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin receives a cardiopulmonary massage on the field
Photo:
Joshua A. Bickel / dpa
In the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, there was a serious accident: 24-year-old Damar Hamlin, defender for the Bills, collapsed during the game on Monday (local time) after a defensive action in the middle of the first quarter with cardiac arrest together, 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.
The Buffalo Bills defenseman blocked Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, the AP news agency describes the incident.
Higgins rammed his right shoulder into the chest of Hamlin, who grabbed him with both arms and yanked him to the ground - a standard American football tackle.
Then Hamlin got up and adjusted his helmet.
Seconds later he collapsed and lay motionless.
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.
It has not yet been decided when and in what form it will be continued.
The dramatic incident was reminiscent of the collapse of Danish national soccer player Christian Eriksen during the Danes' first group game against Finland at Euro 2021. Eriksen was also resuscitated on the pitch at the time, and the game continued after a two-hour interruption.
Eriksen was able to resume his career after a year's break.
oka/AP/dpa/SID