This day just couldn’t get any worse. The father of Instant Replay Art McNally passed away on Tuesday at ninety-seven. Arthur Ignatius McNally, also known as Art McNally, was an NFL icon and Hall-of-Famer who changed the landscape of league officiating. And the football world paid its respects after an already gut-wrenching day that saw Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin suffering a cardiac arrest on-field.

McNally spent 22 years in the NFL as the director of officiating and supervisor of officials, wherein he scouted, screened, hired and groomed the 7-men game official squad for the league games each week. However, his biggest achievements all came in the footage review department. Be it for game officials or his instant replay use in-game. Also, former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue named the best game-official of the year award, the Art McNally Award, to honour his contributions to the game.

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Moreover, former players, owners, current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the entire football world joined in with their prayers and condolences.

Furthermore, Art McNally was the first official to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in 2022. And the NFL world lost one of its most loved members today.

Art McNally passing away makes the day even worse after a former Jaguar’s demise today

January 3 will forever remain in the minds of football fans. A day of uncertain and unfortunate happenings. Buffalo Bills defensive player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals game. Furthermore, the medical team rushed 24-year-old Damar for cardiac arrest to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he remains in critical care. However, there were some positive signs. But, although his heartbeat was restored, the Buffalo safety remains sedated and on breathing support.

However, while the NFL world prays for Hamlin, their condolences went out to the family of former Jacksonville Jaguars guard and offensive lineman, Uche Nwaneri. Nwaneri passed away at the untimely age of 38 after suffering a heart attack at his wife’s home in West Lafayette.

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Moreover, the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills game ended up postponed after Hamlin’s unfortunate episode on-field. Also, Goodell and Co got in some trouble after spectators complained about why it took an hour to suspend the game. However, the NFL executives cleared the air about that earlier today.

Damar still has prayers and wishes from the entire world sporting community with him for his quickest recovery and return to the game.