Monday was a great day for coach James Franklin and everybody who loves Penn State football in many ways because of the team’s Rose Bowl win over Utah.
At the same time, there are things bigger than football, and that was on display in Cincinnati after what happened to Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin.
In the first quarter of Buffalo’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. After standing up, Hamlin collapsed to the ground with what we now know is a cardiac arrest. The league decided to postpone the game.
The league released a statement after 10 p.m. ET.
“Tonight’s Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced.
Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital, where he is in critical condition.
Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association, which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
Franklin discussed Hamlin after Penn State’s 35-21 Rose Bowl win over Utah. Hamlin played high school football at Pittsburgh Central Catholic and then stayed home in college at the University of Pittsburgh.
Franklin and Penn State recruited Hamlin out of high school and extended “thoughts and prayers” on behalf of the program in his postgame press conference.
“It’s very personal,” Franklin said. “He’s from Pittsburgh, from Pennsylvania. Terry Smith and myself recruited him got to know his whole family; unbelievable family, and obviously, we’re sending our thoughts and prayers to him and the family and hoping and praying that everything is okay.”
The Bills’ last update on Hamlin came out at 1:48 a.m.
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
