Hamlin, formerly of Pitt, McKees Rocks, suffers cardiac arrest on tackle taken on the South Side (Pitt)

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The Bills gather in a prayer circle after Damar Hamlin collapsed Monday night in Cincinnati.

Pitt

Hamlin, formerly of Pitt, McKees Rocks, suffers cardiac arrest on tackle

By Corey Crisan

Jan 3, 2023 • 1:59 am

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Damar Hamlin, a starting safety for the Bills who's formerly of Pitt, Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School and McKees Rocks, has been intubated and was listed in critical condition at University of Cincinnati Medical Center after he suffered cardiac arrest from making a tackle in Buffalo's game Monday night at PayCor Stadium.

On the first-quarter play, Hamlin made a tackle on the Bengals' Tee Higgins, rose to his feet, appeared dazed, and collapsed with his head slamming off the ground.

The Bills issued an update at 1:48 a.m. Tuesday that Hamlin had suffered cardiac arrest as a result of the hit and that his heartbeat had to be restored on the field:

Hamlin spent nearly a half-hour on the ground as medical professionals utilized an AED and administered CPR to him for a period of time. Both teams' coaching staffs agreed to go back to their locker rooms, and just after 10 p.m., it was announced the game would be postponed:

Nearly one hour after the play occurred, Tricia Macke of FOX 19 in Cincinnati reported Hamlin, 24, was intubated at UC Medical Center and was listed in critical condition. The hit occurred at 8:55 p.m., and he was taken off the field in an ambulance around 9:25 p.m.

Hamlin's vitals were restored Monday night at the hospital, according to a tweet from Jordon Rooney, Hamlin's marketing representative:

Per FOX 19's Joe Danneman, Hamlin had a pulse but was not breathing on his own as he was taken off of the field.

Players from either side were visibly upset with many moved to tears while Hamlin was being attended to, amid a chilling and gut-wrenching scene in front of a silent Cincinnati crowd. 

Hamlin was drafted by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has played in 15 games this season, making 91 total tackles — six for a loss — defending two passes and forcing a fumble.

Hamlin has gathered tremendous support from not only Buffalo, Cincinnati and Pitt fans, but from the rest of the sports world. Hamlin organized a community toy drive through his Chasing M's Foundation to benefit children and families which have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The toy drive has a goal of $2,500 set, but those totals have exceeded that exponentially since the incident occurred in Cincinnati.

As of the latest update to this story, Hamlin's toy drive has eclipsed $3 million raised. More information on that can be found HERE.

And, of course, his former Pitt brethren tweeted their thoughts and prayers to their former teammate:

And so did Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke:

And, so did the rest of the sports world. Here are several, beginning with his high school alma mater, from Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, and from Higgins:

This story will be updated as more information is released. 

This story was posted at 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, and was most recently updated at 1:59 a.m. Jan. 3.

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