With their arms on each other, the Buffalo Bills team knelt together praying for their brother. The NFL world stood at a standstill as they tried to make sense of what had occurred. On the other hand, the entire sports community including the likes of LeBron James joined hands and prayed for the Bills star Damar Hamlin. This was a moment of solidarity and coming together.
The game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals stopped after Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. Hamlin was in between a play and a tackle when fell to the ground. The medical staff and players rushed to the Bills star following which CPR was performed on Hamlin. The players stared at the scene helplessly. Several minutes later Hamlin was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance. As the shocking incident transpired, the NFL organization suspended the game and eventually postponed it.
LeBron James on the NFL’s decision and Damar Hamiln’s incident
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LeBron James, who had just won a game against the Charlotte Hornets, spoke to the media about this gut-wrenching incident. While understanding the level of competition and nature of the NFL, LeBron said, “It was a terrible thing to see”. He then sent out his thoughts and “super prayers” to Damar Hamlin, his family, and the “brotherhood of the NFL”.
"The safety of players in all sports is always the most important." LeBron James on Damar Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/JUIBIUCHRF
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 3, 2023
Following this, he was asked about the NFL’s decision to suspend the game. For the four-time NBA Champion, suspending the game was simply the right call. “The safety of players in all sports is always the most important,” he added.
Read More: “Praying…”: Patrick Mahomes Shocked, Josh Allen in Tears As ‘Critical’ Damar Hamlin Battles For Life
Much like LeBron, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, JJ Watt, was all-in with the decision to suspend the game. He took to Twitter to express his thoughts. While praying for Hamlin to just be okay, he wrote, “The game is not important. Damar Hamlin’s life is important.”
The game is not important.
Damar Hamlin’s life is important.
Please be ok. Please.
🙏🏼
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 3, 2023
JJ Watt’s tweet was followed by Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes‘ call to the powers up in the sky. He wrote, “Praying hard.. please be okay man”.
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While the decision to suspend the game was approved by many, some initially disagreed with the decision. Skip Bayless, ESPN’s NFL commentator, tweeted about the decision. Considering the tight schedule and the importance of the outcome of the game.
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 regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 3, 2023
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Bayless questioned how the NFL took this decision. For many, his thoughts came across as tone-deaf. However, Bayless clarified his comments quickly. He wrote, “Nothing is more important than that young man’s health. That was the point of my last tweet”.
Hamlin’s situation continues to remain critical. The NFL has promised to give updates as soon as they receive some.