The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals game was on Monday night was suspended after Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter. The league did not say when the game would be made up or resumed.
Hamlin collapsed to the field after tackling Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin, 24, quickly got up, then abruptly fell to the field almost immediately with medical personnel on hand rushing to the scene of the injury. The NFL said Hamlin was in critical condition.
According to ESPN, Hamlin received Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the field before the safety was loaded on to an ambulance and transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. ESPN also reported that his mother joined him in the ambulance.
Players from both teams were visibly upset, some shedding tears on the sideline while others circled together and knelt in prayer.
After Hamlin collapsed on the field, it was announced that the game had been temporarily suspended as both the Bills and Bengals made their way to the locker room.
The NFL Players’ Association agreed with the decision to postpone the game.
“The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.”