On Sunday, January 2nd, the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills marched onto the field, ready to play their 17th match of the NFL season. As the game progressed, an astounding moment was captured on camera. Damar Hamlin, the Safety of the Bills, tackled the Bengals’ Wide Receiver, Tee Higgins in the first quarter. Soon after, however, Hamlin collapsed to the ground.

Hamlin’s detrimental fall was caused by cardiac arrest: a condition when the heart stops functioning along with your breathing and consciousness. The game was suspended and CPR was quickly performed on Hamlin which miraculously revived him. He was then rushed over to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in a critical condition. Everyone was in such shock and distress of what had just happened that the NFL had to cancel the game. Players and fans of both the Bengals and Bills showed their support for Hamlin’s survival on social media. 

Recently, Hamlin’s condition was said to have improved a lot. Hamlin has overcome the inability to breathe and walk independently. These significant improvements allowed Hamlin to be released from the Cincinnati Hospital. So much support was poured out to him ranging from fans to fellow NFL players and Hamlin expressed his gratitude through a tweet, “Grateful for the awesome care I received at UCMC. Happy to be back in Buffalo. The docs and nurses at Buffalo General have already made me feel at home!”