NFL
By: Greg Rector
What we all witnessed last night in the Bengals versus Bills game was a human tragedy. Bills safety Damar Hamlin had just hit Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, had popped back up but immediately went down again collapsing on the field with what we now know was due to cardiac arrest. Unlike so many in the social media sphere, there won’t be a link to the video. It was bad enough live and the one repeat I saw during the broadcast. All you’ll see here is Damar Hamlin doing what he loved. “The Game Doesn’t Matter” Hamlin’s life does.
What Happened
After tackling Tee Higgins, Hamlin appeared to have taken the brunt of the impact. That happens numerous in football games where a defensive player gets hurt even though they are the ones delivering the blow. In this case, however, something called Commotio Cordis happened. This occurs when there’s been trauma to the left chest wall area at the exact wrong moment and unlike last night with Hamlin, it usually results in immediate death. Very sadly most occurrences are from kids playing baseball who get hit by the ball in the chest. 10 to 20 cases annually. Hamlin falls into the minority of the 35% who have been successfully resuscitated. Last night the medical personnel, from both teams, the paramedics as well all heroically went into immediate action as we witnessed.
The Response
Seeing the players surround their fallen teammate, and finding out they had to spend nine minutes trying to get a pulse back for Hamlin was truly an eerie sight. Once Hamlin was in the ambulance and being transported to The University of Cincinnati Hospital, the Bills and Bengals players were in obvious distress emotionally. At that moment “The Game Doesn’t Matter” was the overwhelming response. That was true in our own teamnbsmedia.com chat we have on Twitter. The only priority we had was learning that Hamlin would be okay. We are all hardcore sports fans but at those moments last night after the incident, NO ONE cared a damn about the game being played. No one cared about the playoff positions or anything else to do with football.
Calling The Postponement
Initially, there was a 5-minute warm-up called by the game officials. It was obvious to those of us watching that wasn’t going to happen. The ESPN/ABC crew from Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters on the sideline, and the studio crew of Suzy Kolber, Booger McFarland, and Adam Schefter were amazing last night. The human side was the priority, not the game. Fortunately, the game officials were in contact with the league office, the NFLPA, and the network. Eventually, the players themselves went to their dressing rooms with their coaches. The time it took to have the game called off for the night did take too long, it’s not something anyone was prepared for though. There were those of course on social media who had their priorities messed up. They were more concerned about the impact of the games going forward. Really people? “The Game Doesn’t Matter” I won’t even mention the scumbag ” sports journalist” he isn’t one, folks the man has been a fraud for decades ever since he was a “Cowboys” beat writer. You all know who I am talking about. Thankfully he was in the minority. Once everyone was heard from the NFL did the right thing and postponed the game.
What We Know Now
Damar Hamlin is in critical condition. He was sedated and intubated to assist his breathing. The main thing at this moment? He is alive. The players, coaches, and their families all have access to counseling as needed. Fans have responded by donating since last night as of the time I write this $3.5 million dollars to a GoFundMe Hamlin had set up to raise funds to buy kids Christmas toys through his foundation.
Going Forward
I personally don’t care if my Dallas Cowboys get first place in the NFC East as is possible. I don’t care who is in and out for the other playoff positions. I do care that a 24-year-old is fighting for his life, the result of a horrific moment we all sadly witnessed. “The Game Doesn’t Matter” the NFL has some very tough decisions to make. I get that and I can appreciate what is at stake. Damar Hamlin is what matters. We can all put our priorities where they belong. Our continued thoughts are with Damar Hamlin, his family, his teammates, and Buffalo Bills fans.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregsCowboys
