Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered a second cardiac arrest after collapsing during Monday night’s NFL game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, according to his uncle.
“His heart had went out so they had to resuscitate him twice,” Hamlin’s uncle, Dorrian Glenn told CNN‘s Adrienne Broaddus. “They resuscitated him on the field before they brought him to the hospital and then they resuscitated him a second time when they got him to the hospital.”
Hamlin, 24, went into cardiac arrest after tackling Bengals player Tee Higgins during the 1st quarter.
His heart stopped which cut off the oxygen supply to his brain, causing a condition known as anoxic encephalopathy. Doctors agree that he may have suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen.
TV’s Dr. Drew weighed in on speculation that a hard hit triggered an extremely rare cardiac condition called Commotio cordis.
“In my experience [with Commotio Cordis] they are flaccid immediately… this was not that. This was stood up, walked, and then down! Just fell backwards.”
Prayers for #DamarHamlin pic.twitter.com/XBRrRS9J05
— Antonio Montoya Reeve (@Antontio4NM) January 3, 2023
Doctors performed CPR for 9 minutes and used a defibrillator to restore his heartbeat on the field before transporting him to UC Medical Center. He is in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator in ICU.
Hamlin’s uncle thanked the doctors at the hospital and team medical staff. “If not for them my nephew probably wouldn’t be here,” he said.
“I’m just glad he’s still alive and able to fight and trying to get better and recover,” Glenn said.
“I’m not a crier, but I’ve never cried so hard in my life. Just to know like my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life.”
He added: “They sedated him just to give a better chance for him to just continue to heal better. We are just taking it day by day. It seems like he’s trending upwards in a positive way.”
Glenn said family members were watching the game on TV when they saw Hamlin collapse. Glenn tried to console Hamlin’s 7-year-old brother, who was watching the game with them.
Uncle of #Bills Safety Damar Hamlin gives an update on his nephew’s condition. pic.twitter.com/vjz92eMsmH
— TJAY Jones (@tjayjones8) January 4, 2023
Hamlin’s mother, Nina, who had him when she was 16, rode in the ambulance with her son. She remains by his side in ICU where he is listed in critical condition.
Kindhearted Twitter users donated over $5.5 million to The Chasing M’s Foundation Toy Drive started by Hamlin in 2020. The foundation’s original goal was $2,500.
