The Monday Night Football match-up between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals was touted as one of the top games of the year, and the millions who were tuned into that game last night witnessed a moment when a critical game became secondary to concerns for human life.
When Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin was hit in the chest with Higgins’ shoulder. The hit appeared very routine and did not have the characteristics of the many violent hits we have all seen occur during games.
After the tackle, Hamlin stood up and appeared to adjust his helmet and, taking a slight step backwards, collapsed to the ground motionless. Immediately, it was obvious that something was wrong - very wrong.
Further indicating the serious nature of the hit, paramedics raced onto the field; and in an unprecedented scene fans watched CPR performed on a player who was down. We’ve all seen players knocked out - we’ve seen broken limbs and players carted off the field - but the sight of paramedics administering CPR and oxygen to a player showed the seriousness of the moment.
Hamlin remained lying on the field for nearly 20 minutes. Players gathered to create a human shield blocking the TV cameras from getting a view of the helpless player. It seemed as if the players knew more than we knew, and they did not hide the shock on their faces - many players cried. Opposing QBs Josh Allen and Joe Burrow shared a hug as other players embraced in tears.
The ESPN broadcast team in the booth - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman reflected the angst of the moment. In the studio, Suzy Kolber and others struggled to find words to describe what we were all witnessing. Fans in the stadium in Cincinnati remained stunned and quiet as the game was stopped. Both teams retreated to their locker rooms. When players started coming out of the locker rooms without their shoulder pads and jerseys - it became obvious that the game would be permanently postponed.
ESPN analysts speculated that perhaps the players were adamant about not returning - but the mood in the stadium and across America was concern for human life and not a football game. As seriously we take sports in this country - this was a moment when a tragic event reduced the event to just a game.
We shouldn’t be surprised that something this serious happened during a game. I have talked on my show recently about the continuing number of blatant helmet-to-helmet targeting hits that seem to have become instinct for many players. It’s a wonder we haven’t seen even more serious injuries following a player using his helmet as a weapon.
CNN was the first cable news network to immediately switch to wall-to-wall coverage of the incident. Fox News and MSNBC continued with regular programming until it became obvious that this was a national story of great concern, and then all 3 cable news networks were fully covering what had happened during a game of football.
After about 20 minutes an ambulance rushed Hamlin to a local hospital where he remains sedated and in “critical condition.” Hamlin’s mother apparently was with her son in the ambulance, and family and a few players joined them later at the hospital.
At one point it was announced that Damar Hamlin had suffered cardiac arrest following the hit. His heart stopped beating. Paramedics restored his heartbeat before he was moved to the ambulance. But how long was his heart not beating, and what impact might that have on oxygen to his brain?
Many of the network analysts commented that if this had happened 10 years ago - the game would probably have been resumed at some point. That it was not is a testament to the NFL’s new concern for players’ health.
What happened last night may prove to be a turning point for the NFL. As I have commented - the frequency and the instinctive nature of helmet-to-helmet hits is a disturbing trend in the NFL and college football as well. Is the instinct to target another player a reflection a growing violent attitude in society?
It is amazing that players continue to target players knowing that it is against the rules. Maybe this will motivate the NFL and the NCAA to take more seriously the violent edge in football.
We all wait for word on Hamlin’s condition and social media was flooded with prayers for Hamlin.
The sight of Bills and Bengals fans gathering outside of the hospital in Cincinnati was a comforting sign that we - as a country - know the difference between a game and a life and death situation.
For those who argue that we - as a society - have become desensitized to violence in the real world - the reaction to what happened last night demonstrates that we know the difference between Hollywood violence and real violence. There was nothing graphic about what we saw - but we knew it was real; and that was the difference.
Prayers continue for Hamlin - a 6 ft. 200-lb. 24-year-old who is in a fight for his life.
Anticipate that this will bring further attention and action to curb the instinctive - and unnecessary - violence that is part of the game of football.
