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Stefon Diggs remained in Cincinnati to be with teammate Damar Hamlin after the 24-year-old safety had heart arrest and collapsed on the field during Monday Night Football versus the Bengals.
Hamlin remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Diggs was observed arriving. Monday night, ESPN’s Coley Harvey, who was outside the hospital, stated that Diggs was stopped by a police officer while attempting to visit Hamlin.
Diggs reportedly told the officer, “I need to be there for my teammate,” and the officer eventually let him in. Harvey stated on air that he vouched for an emotional Diggs as the wide receiver attempted to explain his relationship with Hamlin.
“Everything is so messed up… Diggs said to Harvey, “We simply had to be here for our teammate.”
According to NFL senior vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, Diggs and other Bills players opted to remain in Cincinnati as the team traveled back to Buffalo on Monday night after the game was suspended.
University of Cincinnati Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma facility roughly two miles from Paycor Stadium, also treated Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
On January 2, 2023, fans gathered in front of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Bills safety Damar Hamlin was transferred after falling on the field during “Monday Night Football.”
Other social media videos and images depict Bills and Bengals fans congregating outside UC Medical Center in the aftermath of the incident. Supporters of Hamlin were spotted in prayer groups holding hands and candles.
The Bills report that Hamlin is now sedated and in critical condition. Tuesday morning, the University of Cincinnati Medical Center did not plan to issue a statement.
Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills, during the second half of a game against the New England Patriots on December 1, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
AP
On January 3, 2023, during the first quarter, Bills and Bengals players gather as an ambulance parks on the field and CPR is performed to Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin, a second-year safety, slumped on the field during the first quarter of Monday night’s game after making a heavy tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
After being struck, he initially stood up and appeared dazed before falling to the ground on his back.
Hamlin was administered CPR on the field following his collapse, and his heartbeat was restarted before he was transported to the hospital for further testing and treatment.
Jordon Rooney, the CEO of sports marketing business Jaster Athletes and a friend of Hamlin’s marketing manager, tweeted an update on Monday evening.
“[Hamlin’s] vital signs have returned to normal, and he has been put to sleep so that a breathing tube can be inserted down his throat. Currently, they are conducting testing,” Rooney stated.
Hamlin’s agent, Ira Turner, told ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg at 11:44 p.m. E.T. on Monday that he had “no update at this time.”
»Stefon Diggs remained in Cincinnati following Damar Hamlin’s heart arrest to be with him«