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The pro-football world turned to prayer Monday night after Buffalos Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a nationally televised game and required CPR.
Hamlin, listed in critical condition as of Tuesday morning, fell backward after taking a blow to the chest and making a tackle in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was suspended with 5:58 left in the first quarter. He is 24.The Bills released a statement saying Hamlins heartbeat was restored on the field, and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition. Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar, the Bills official Twitter account said.
The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar. ? pic.twitter.com/lDWNAOEPX4 Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
Though rare, pro and college athletes have suffered cardiac arrest in the past. In 1971, Detroits Chuck Hughes, 28, died of a heart attack during an NFL game. In 1990, college basketball player Hank Gathers of Loyola Marymount died at the age of 23 during a game due to a heart issue. In 1993, Reggie Lewis of the NBAs Boston Celtics collapsed and died during practice due to a heart condition. He was 27.
In 2015, a 22-year-old amateur hockey player went into cardiac arrest and died in Connecticut after being struck in the chest with a puck.
After Hamlin collapsed, various phrases with the words pray and prayer trended on Twitter.
To those who follow Jesus, dont stop praying, former NFL player and current ESPN sports analyst Sam Ocho tweeted. Dont be distracted. Keep on interceding on Damars behalf to the Lord. Damar is still fighting. Keep on praying that God would save his life and that God would get the glory. Let the others talk. You pray. Our God hears #DamarHamlin.
To those who follow Jesus, dont stop praying. Dont be distracted. Keep on interceding on Damars behalf to the Lord. Damar is still fighting. Keep on praying that God would save his life and that God would get the glory. Let the others talk. You pray. Our God hears #DamarHamlin Sam Acho (@TheSamAcho) January 3, 2023
Prayer is real, and its powerful. Constantly praying for Damar and his family, tweeted Dawson Knox, a teammate of Hamlin.
Prayer is real, and its powerful. Constantly praying for Damar and his family Dawson Knox (@dawson_knox) January 3, 2023
Lord, please place your protection over Hamlin tonight. May your strength and comfort be with everyone on that field, Kelvin Beachum of the Arizona Cardinals tweeted.
Lord, please place your protection over Hamlin tonight. May your strength and comfort be with everyone on that field. ?? Beachum.eth (@KelvinBeachumJr) January 3, 2023
Praying for Damar Hamlin. May God be with him and his family, wrote Eddy Pieiro of the Carolina Panthers.
Praying for Damar Hamlin ?? may God be with him and his family. Eddy Pieiro (@EddyPineiro) January 3, 2023
Jesus, be with our guy D Ham and heal him, tweeted Camryn Bynum of the Minnesota Vikings.
Jesus be with our guy D Ham and heal him ?? praying for you family @HamlinIsland ??? Camryn Bynum (@Cambeezy_) January 3, 2023
Praying fervently for Damar Hamlin, his family, loved ones, teammates, coaches, and entire NFL family, tweeted Jonnu Smith of the New England Patriots. Gods purpose is perfect.
Praying fervently for Damar Hamlin, his family, loved ones, teammates, coaches, and entire NFL family. Gods purpose is perfect ?? Jonnu Smith (@Easymoney_81) January 3, 2023
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Kirk Irwin/Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.