NFL fumbles safety: Damar Hamlin’s near-fatal injury

On Jan. 2, Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin—a young and promising safety—collapsed after absorbing a hit from Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals, requiring prompt medical attention. Hamlin’s condition was severe; he went into cardiac arrest and had to be revived by medical staff with nine minutes of CPR and supplemental oxygen. Later, he was transported to a nearby hospital and placed on a ventilator. His survival was credited to the rapid response and CPR given by medical staff. This incident has caused many in the sports industry to question safety standards and how situations like this should be handled.

“Sports assocations must do more to protect their athletes. The well being of players should be a major NFL priority, and their failure to protect Hamlin in the moment

Nine minutes after the injury, the game was halted. On Jan. 9, the NFL announced that the game would not be resumed. Players and audience members were stunned by Hamlin’s injury. Also, according to Forbes, former NFL players hope that Hamlin’s injury will bring light to how the league treats applications for disability pay, which supports injured players. NFL players who apply are often denied or forced to undergo a lengthy process to receive their pay.

Hamlin’s injury also shed light on how the league treats injured players, which could result in further progressive action. Unlike some other players in the NFL’s history such as Mike Cloud, who did not receive his pay for years when he was injured, Hamlin will be receiving disability pay. Hamlin will receive his full salary this year, and more if needed.

“Football is a sport in which the threat of severe injuries is always lingering, meaning the NFL must provide their players with disability pay and insurance. A high-contact sport like football also requires quick-acting medical support to provide rapid assistance to players,” Sophomore Shrivas Sudharsan said.

As of Jan. 28, fellow players and fans have donated over $9 million to Hamlin’s charity, “The Chasing M’s Foundation

Community Toy Drive.” Additionally, over 200,000 donations were made to the GoFundMe of the charity.

Not all reactions to the injury were seen as positive or appropriate. Sports columnist Skip Bayless tweeted, “No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game–but how?

This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regularseason outcome.” Bayless received heavy amounts of backlash after his controversial tweet. Even Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens joined in, tweeting, “I hope you LOSE YOUR JOB!!” Later, Bayless apologized, claiming that his tweet was misunderstood and that Hamlin’s health is all that matters.

On Jan. 11, Hamlin was released from the hospital as he was able to walk, speak and showed no signs of neurological damage. However, he continues to require oxygen support and regular heart monitoring. A long recovery lies ahead for Hamlin, according to CBS. Nevertheless, Hamlin appeared in the Bills’ locker room and cheered on his team during a game. In fact, CBS reports that Hamlin has been making regular visits to team facilities.

Staff Writer

Hamlin has not publicly stated whether he will be playing again, not play again this season. Many fans hope that in the future, Hamlin will be seen once more on the field surrounded by his teammates. However, his physicians say it is too early to make such decisions. Some also believe that this incident will help progress the conversation about the NFL’s treatment of players. The NFL’s history of brushing off major injuries may be behind them. While several agree that injuries are part of any sports game, incidents such as Hamlin’s may push many to acknowledge the seriousness of ensuring player safety.