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Bills announce that Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition day after suffering cardiac arrest on field

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin remains in the University of Cincinnati Medical Center's intensive care unit in critical condition after collapsing on the field Monday with cardiac arrest, the Bills announced Tuesday afternoon.

Hamlin's family provided a statement earlier Tuesday thanking fans for their support and first responders and healthcare professionals for their work in taking care of Hamlin.

Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field after tackling Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin was hit in the chest, got up after the tackle, then collapsed. His heartbeat was restored on the field, the Bills said, and he was taken off the field in an ambulance. Hamlin was transported to nearby UC Medical Center. Players and coaches from the Bills and Bengals went to the hospital to support Hamlin.

Damar Hamlin's uncle offers positive update on condition

The Bills said on early Tuesday morning that Hamlin was sedated and in critical condition. Much later on Tuesday, Hamlin's uncle Dorrian Glenn spoke with reporters and said his nephew had gone from being on 100 percent oxygen to 50 percent.

Glenn added that Hamlin needed to be resuscitated twice, once on the field and once after he arrived at the hospital, and there is a concern of lung damage.

As Hamlin undergoes treatment, the sporting world united in support for him. Current and former NFL players, and even some NBA stars, gave their best wishes to the Bills safety, while thousands of people combined to donate more than $5 million to his old GoFundMe.

The game was suspended after a long delay. The Bills flew back to Buffalo, with some players reportedly staying behind to be near Hamlin. Some NFL teams canceled scheduled media availability on Tuesday out of respect for Hamlin, as everyone waited for an update on his health.

Hamlin, who is 24-years old, is a second-year player out of the University of Pittsburgh. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft and as a rookie he contributed on special teams. This season he got the chance to start at safety on the Bills' defense due to an injury to teammate Micah Hyde. Going into Monday night's game he had started 13 games and had 82 tackles.

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, shown here warming up before a game against the Dolphins in September, was taken to a Cincinnati hospital on Monday night. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, shown here warming up before a game against the Dolphins in September, was taken to a Cincinnati hospital on Monday night. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)