Jordan Ellis
Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. He was hospitalized in critical condition and remained in the intensive care unit for several days. After a nine-day hospital stay, Hamlin was discharged on January 9 and returned to Buffalo to continue his treatment. He has since recovered and resumed playing football, making his NFL return in a preseason game in August 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Damar Romeyelle Hamlin |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1998 |
| Occupation | American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills |
| Cardiac Arrest | Suffered cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023 |
| Hospitalization | Spent 9 days in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center |
| Cause of Cardiac Arrest | Commotio cordis, a condition caused by a blow to the chest resulting in heart arrhythmia |
| Fan Support | Fans rallied outside the hospital and donated millions to Hamlin's charity efforts |
| Recovery | Discharged from the hospital on January 9, 2023 and returned to professional football |
| Current Status | Healthy and actively playing for the Buffalo Bills |
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What You'll Learn
Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest
On January 2, 2023, Damar Hamlin, an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin, aged 24, collapsed on the field after making a tackle, and was hospitalized in critical condition. The incident was caused by a phenomenon known as commotio cordis, a rare event induced by a blow to the chest, resulting in a potentially lethal heart rhythm disturbance or arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation.
Following the incident, Hamlin was promptly administered CPR, automated external defibrillation (AED), and other treatments by first responders on the field. He was brought back to life in front of thousands of spectators in the stadium and millions watching on television. Hamlin was then transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition. On January 6, he was able to breathe on his own, and his breathing tube was removed. He made a brief Facetime call to a Bills team meeting and later shared his first public comments since the incident on social media, expressing gratitude for the support he had received.
Hamlin was discharged from the hospital on January 9, a week after being admitted, and was flown to Buffalo General Medical Center to continue his treatment. He returned to professional football and played his first NFL snap since his cardiac arrest in the Bills' preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 12, 2023. Hamlin's recovery was considered remarkable, and his experience brought attention to the importance of CPR education and the availability of AEDs in improving survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest, especially within the Black community, where there is an elevated risk for heart failure among athletes.
The impact of Hamlin's cardiac arrest extended beyond the sporting world, with teams, players, and fans from various sports showing their support. Additionally, there was a notable increase in CPR and AED course enrollments, highlighting the positive influence of Hamlin's experience in promoting heart health and education.
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Commotio cordis
Damar Hamlin, an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on 2 January 2023. Hamlin was clinically dead and had to be resuscitated and saved. He was discharged from the hospital nine days later and eventually returned to professional football.
Hamlin's cardiac arrest was caused by a rare event called commotio cordis, which occurs as a result of a blow to the left side of the chest during a narrow window in the heart rhythm. It is an extremely rare, serious medical condition that can happen after a sudden, blunt impact to the chest. If the physical blow hits during a specific moment in the heart rhythm, it can disrupt the heartbeat and cause sudden cardiac arrest.
The condition is most common in young male athletes, especially in baseball when a ball strikes a player in the chest. It is also frequently caused by softball, lacrosse balls, hockey pucks, or physical contact from other athletes. In a smaller number of cases, commotio cordis is the result of other types of physical trauma such as car accidents or assault.
The three critical steps in the chain of survival for someone suffering from cardiac arrest caused by commotio cordis are:
- Begin CPR: If the person isn’t breathing or is only gasping, begin CPR with compressions by pressing hard and fast on the center of the chest.
- Use an AED: Use a defibrillator to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm.
- Call 911: The most important way to treat commotio cordis is to immediately recognize the issue and start an emergency medical response.
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Hamlin's release from hospital
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on January 2, 2023, during a Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin, a safety for the Bills, collapsed after making a tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. He received medical attention on the field, including CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED), and was then transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.
Hamlin spent nine days in the hospital, during which he was sedated and received further treatment and testing. On January 6, he was able to breathe on his own and his breathing tube was removed. He made a brief Facetime call to a Bills team meeting and later shared his first public comments since the incident on social media, expressing his gratitude for the support he had received.
On January 9, Hamlin was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and flown to Buffalo General Medical Center in stable condition. He underwent further tests to determine if he could be released, but noted on Twitter that he was "not home quite yet." Hamlin's release from the hospital marked a significant step in his recovery, and he continued his treatment and rehabilitation in Buffalo.
Following his release from the hospital, Hamlin continued his journey towards recovery and eventually returned to professional football. He was cleared to resume playing and rejoined practices in April 2023, working out with his team and expressing his gratitude for the support he had received throughout his recovery. By August 12, 2023, Hamlin played his first NFL snap since his cardiac arrest, demonstrating his dedication to his health and his sport.
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Hamlin's return to the NFL
Damar Hamlin's return to the NFL is nothing short of a miracle. The Buffalo Bills safety suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023, and was hospitalized in critical condition. The 25-year-old spent nine days in the hospital, with fans and fellow players alike offering their support and prayers.
Hamlin's collapse occurred after a tackle, where he took a blow to the chest, causing him to fall and his heart to stop beating. This rare condition is known as commotio cordis, a heart arrhythmia resulting from a direct hit to the chest. Thankfully, Hamlin's heartbeat was restored on the field, and he eventually made a full recovery.
On April 18, 2023, the Buffalo Bills announced that Hamlin had been cleared to resume playing football, with general manager Brandon Beane stating that Hamlin had been "fully cleared" and was in a great headspace to return. Hamlin himself acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, "I got a long journey to go, but I'm committed to it each day, day in and day out."
Hamlin's first NFL snap since his cardiac arrest came in the Bills' preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 12, 2023. He played in all three preseason contests but was a healthy scratch for the first three games of the regular season. On October 1, he was activated for the first time since his cardiac arrest, serving as a backup against the Miami Dolphins. Hamlin's first snaps on defense came in week ten against the Denver Broncos, where he also made his first tackle since the incident.
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The outpouring of support
NFL players and teams took to social media to offer their support and prayers for Hamlin's recovery. All 32 NFL teams changed their profile pictures on Twitter to a picture of Hamlin's jersey with the caption "Pray For Damar". Fellow NFL players, such as Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, and Josh Allen, also offered their condolences and urged people to pray for Hamlin's recovery. Retired ice hockey player Chris Pronger, who had experienced a similar cardiac arrest incident during his career, wished Hamlin a full recovery.
Fans played a significant role in the outpouring of support for Hamlin. They gathered outside the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, where Hamlin was being treated, showing their love and concern. Fans also donated millions of dollars to Hamlin's charity efforts, specifically his initiative to buy Christmas toys for children from his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.
The lights on Paycor Stadium, where the game was held, were lit blue in honour of Hamlin, along with the lights on Fifth Third Bank's headquarters on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati. This visual display served as a powerful symbol of support and unity.
Hamlin's family also expressed their gratitude for the love and support they received during this challenging time. In a statement, they thanked the first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for their exceptional care. They acknowledged the generosity and compassion shown to them, stating that it meant the world to them.
The Buffalo Bills organisation, teammates, and coaches also played a crucial role in supporting Hamlin's recovery. They expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support and kept the public updated on Hamlin's condition. Head coach Sean McDermott supported Hamlin's return to training and his gradual reintegration into NFL games. Teammate Brandon Beane spoke about Hamlin's mental health journey and the importance of tackling any mental health hurdles alongside his physical recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Damar Hamlin was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on January 9, a week after being admitted.
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. He was hospitalized in critical condition and remained in the intensive care unit for several days.
Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest was caused by a condition known as commotio cordis, a rare event caused by a blow to the chest, resulting in heart arrhythmia.
Damar Hamlin returned to the NFL on August 12, 2023, in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was cleared to resume playing after multiple specialists fully cleared him to return.
