Orlovsky was lauded by many for his “bravery” in praying so publicly.
It’s unclear what caused Hamlin’s heart attack, as doctors are still working to determine how it happened, another doctor told CNN.
Late in the first quarter of the away game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin tackled an opposing receiver, Tee Higgins. Higgins led with his shoulder into Hamlin’s chest before being brought to the ground. In videos of the injury, Hamlin can be seen standing up after the tackle and then collapsing straight back.
In a statement Tuesday, the Bills said that Hamlin suffered from cardiac arrest after the hit. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in an ambulance, the Bills said.
Hamlin received CPR while on the field and was brought off on a stretcher, according to NFL.com. Hamlin was sedated and listed in critical condition, the statement said.
The game was suspended and postponed after the incident.
As the ambulance departed the field on Monday night, Bills players and staff were seen kneeling and praying for Hamlin.
Hamlin’s Pittsburgh Catholic high school, where he earned the state’s honor of Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year, issued a statement on Hamlin’s injury.
“The Central Catholic High School Community is praying for the well-being and swift recovery of Damar Hamlin, ’16 (Buffalo Bills), after a scary situation on the field against the Bengals in Cincinnati on Monday,” the Jan. 3 statement from Central Catholic High School said.
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“Hamlin, a highly respected young man, has been an integral part of our Catholic Lasallian Community and regularly returns to Central to speak with participants of our football camps,” the statement said.
The full statement can be found here.
Joseph Bukuras is a journalist at the Catholic News Agency. Joe has prior experience working in state and federal government, in non-profits, and Catholic education. He has contributed to an array of publications and his reporting has been cited by leading news sources, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Catholic University of America. He is based out of the Boston area.