Praying For Damar Hamlin: It's More Then A Game

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

It's scary how quickly life can move. One minute Joe Burrow is driving the ball down the field, looking to extend on the Bengals 7-3 lead as they attempt to defeat the Buffalo Bills and clinch the AFC North. The next minute none of that matters.

Midway through the first quarter, Buffalo's Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after suffering a hit. This turned out to be a cardiac arrest, and he was immediately rushed off to hospital.

What happened next were some of the most moving scenes ever seen on an NFL field. From the Bills players dropping to their knee and praying for their teammate, their friend, their brother, to both coaches in Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor not thinking twice about postponing the game.

It went outside the pitch as well. Fans in the stands made signs to show support while others flocked outside UC Medical Center, where Hamlin is recovering.

Above: A homemade sign by a Bengals fan which reads "Pray For Buffalo #3 Hamlin"

Below: Fans of both Cincinnati and Buffalo come together outside UC Medical Center.

On social media and outside the football world, it was the same. All 32 NFL teams have changed their profile picture on Twitter to the same thing, a Bills jersey which says "Pray for Damar" with his number three on the back. Pro sports teams from all around America have tweeted their thoughts and prayers, while members of Buffalo's other pro team, the NHL's Buffalo Sabres arrived in shirts saying "Love for 3" before their match against the Washington Capitals.

Above: All 32 NFL franchises have changed their Twitter profile picture to pray for Damar Hamlin.

Below: Players of the Buffalo Sabres arrive for their match with shirts praying for the Bills #3.

But perhaps the greatest gesture was the number of donations Hamlin's toy drive received. In December 2020, Hamlin, who was only a collegiate athlete at the time, ran a toy drive. The goal was to raise $2,500.

Thanks to the generosity of many, Hamlin's toy drive had received almost $5.5 million only 24 hours after his injury.

Above: Hamlin runs a toy drive, which has now received over $5 million in donations.

What happened to Damar Hamlin is a tragedy. But what it did show us is the beautiful side of the world, and how much kindness there is in humans.

Everyone at The Fifth Quarter sends our best regards to Damar Hamlin and his family during this difficult period of their lives.