After Damar Hamlin collapsed, Buffalo Bills player Dion Dawkins realized something was wrong. Dion Dawkins, an offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills, recalled the moment he knew something was “really, really wrong” when teammate Damar Hamlin collapsed during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin, who had a cardiac arrest during Monday’s game, is still in critical condition in the hospital. According to his uncle Dorrian Glenn’s report, Hamlin was renewed twice, once on the field and once in the hospital.
Seeing how upset their teammates were, both teams postponed the game.
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In an interview on Tuesday, Dawkins said, “You look around, and you see the medical staff doing their job, and you know when it’s something minor like somebody is down, but they’re sitting up, the guys are moving at a nice pace.”
When they start waving their arms around really fast, calling for players to come out onto the field, and summoning the best doctors in the country, you know something is seriously wrong.
“This was one of the first times I’ve experienced something like this, where an entire stadium in an uproar half a play earlier was suddenly silent.”
Glenn says Hamlin is on a ventilator to help his damaged lungs recover from the cardiac arrest. He reported that his nephew’s health is “trending upwards in a positive way” due to the hospital care he is receiving.
Dawkins, who is in his sixth year with the Bills, felt compelled to pray due to the seriousness of the situation.
He said, “Only a higher power can take control of what is next, whether you’re a believer or not.”
Those of our people who helped were helping that higher power as well. However, there comes a time when a person must let down their defenses and allow prayer to work its miracle.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Tuesday that the Bills-Bengals game would not be continued this week and that a date for the resumption of the game had not been set.
Dawkins expressed gratitude that the game was called.
“The fact that we did not have to go back out there on that field and play just shows that there is care,” he said.
At that moment, the NFL treated us like people, whereas most people only treated us as athletes, superstars, and to a lesser extent, celebrities. A beautiful thing happens when you’re treated like a person who is cared about.
The fact that my teammates and I were treated with respect is something for which I am very grateful. And we’re emotional beings, too; we cry when we’re sad and hurt when we’re angry. And our loved ones hurt and call when we do.
