When Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field, was revived and taken to a hospital, it seemed impossible to understand how the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals could keep playing.
They didn’t. The game was eventually postponed, 66 minutes after it crashed. The NFL has not announced when, or if, play will resume.
As of now, the league will play Week 18 as scheduled, but the terrifying incident is clearly affecting the rest of the league.
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Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants warms up before kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ
(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Saquon Barkley spoke to reporters on Wednesday and admitted that it is difficult to prepare to play this Sunday.
“It’s going to be tough, yeah, I’d say it’s going to be tough. That’s a real conversation that really needs to be had. I never, know where I’m at mentally, but I think it would probably be a really good thing as a captain and team leader to bring the team together and do that question. That didn’t even cross my mind,” Barkley said.
The star running back, of course, wants to play. He said that he is not questioning “playing the sport that I love.” But Hamlin’s ordeal has definitely put life in perspective.
Fans gather outside the UC Medical Center for Damar Hamlin, who received medical attention after going into cardiac arrest during a game on January 3, 2022.
(Kyle Mazza/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“You think about it. You talk about it. But when you actually see something like that, he leaves you speechless…” she said, noticing the shock of seeing what happened. “It definitely puts it in perspective. Me having kids and seeing as it’s a physical sport, it’s the game I love to play. But, at any given moment, you make sure you appreciate all the little things. Going out to practice, spending time with your family , spending time with your teammates, even things like this, anytime, anything can happen.”
Barkley has even thought about the possibility of the league not playing at all this weekend. As of now, the Week 18 games will be played as scheduled.
BILLS’ DAMAR HAMLIN HAS SHOWN ‘SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT’, STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION, TEAM SAYS
“I, personally, that’s a conversation I would have to have with my family… That’s something I’d probably get a better answer to later in the week having to sit down and really reflect on it. It’s sad to say, but it’s the truth. honest to God. The only thing I’ve really done right now about the situation that’s happened is more think about Damar and think about his family, think about those guys. I haven’t really even sat around thinking, ‘Wow, I’m actually going too to go out into the field.
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants in action against the Carolina Panthers during a game at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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Hamlin remains in critical condition, but the Bills and his family have said he has shown signs of improvement in the past 24 hours.