A GoFundMe for Damar Hamlin’s charity, ‘The Chasing M’s Foundation,’ has raised over $3.2M after the player collapsed, leaving him in critical condition, at tonight’s Bills-Bengals game.
Hamlin is in a critical condition in hospital after needing CPR following his tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter. The 24-year-old got up briefly before falling backwards to the ground.
As tributes and messages of support have flooded in for Hamlin, a Go FundMe fundraiser he started just over two years ago – to purchase toys for children during the holidays – has been given an incredible boost. Previously Hamlin spoke about why he started the Toy Drive, saying he felt it was important for children to have role models in their lives.
‘Just seeing role models in person. I feel like that’s big in kids’ lives and that’s something that we haven’t always had in Pittsburgh,’ he said.
‘Just being younger and seeing the difference from some people that had that role models in their life.
‘It could be you all you have to do is just work hard, stay focused. I’m thankful that I can even be in this position to give back.’
After Hamlin was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Monday, his friend and marketing rep Jordon Rooney said on Twitter: ‘His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests.
‘We will provide updates as we have them.’
Hamlin was surrounded by players from both sides and treated for 16 minutes before being immobilized and taken off the field. Players on both teams were visibly stunned by what had happened and many were in tears on the field. The game was postponed by the NFL.
Teammate Stefon Diggs later joined Hamlin at the hospital. About 100 Bills fans and a few Bengals fans gathered on a corner one block from the emergency room entrance with some of them holding candles.
While medical personnel were gathered around Hamlin, his playing uniform was cut off.
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment,” the Bills said in a statement. “He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
In a chilling scene, Hamlin was administered CPR on the field, ESPN reported, while surrounded by teammates, some of them in tears, while they shielded him from public view. He was hurt while tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins on a seemingly routine play that didn’t appear unusually violent.
The NFL announced Hamlin’s condition shortly after he was taken to a hospital, but neither the league nor the hospital released any other details about the 24-year-old’s medical condition. The team’s statement was released before its flight arrived back in Buffalo early Tuesday. There was no immediate update about the future status of the game.
On the play the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin was injured, Higgins led with his right shoulder, which hit the defensive back in the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to drag him down. Hamlin quickly got to his feet, appeared to adjust his face mask with his right hand, and then fell backward about three seconds later and lay motionless.
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