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January 3, 2023 Damar Hamlin news

By Jessie Yeung, Aya Elamroussi, Rob Picheta, Seán Federico O'Murchú, Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt and Mike Hayes, CNN

Updated 1855 GMT (0255 HKT) December 26, 2023

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2:28 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

NFL commissioner outlines timeline and decisions in league memo following Damar Hamlin's injury

From CNN's David Close

In a memo sent to all NFL teams on Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shared a brief update on Damar Hamlin’s health status and outlined the decisions made since the injury occurred on Monday night.

The memo, obtained by CNN, says Hamlin remains in the ICU, with Goodell noting the league is in “regular contact” with the medical team providing care for the Bills safety.

Read the full memo:

“During last night’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. Damar experienced cardiac arrest and was promptly resuscitated by on-site club physicians and independent medical personnel, all of whom are highly trained in implementing the plans for medical emergencies. Damar was stabilized and transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, a Level One trauma center, where he remains in the ICU.
After speaking with both teams and NFLPA leadership, I decided to postpone last night’s game and have our focus remain on Damar and his family. We are in regular contact with both clubs and with the medical team caring for Damar and will share additional information as we receive it.
Earlier today, the Head of Player Engagement and Team Clinician for each club received information from Dr. Nyaka NiiLampti about mental health and support resources that are available to your players and staff. Additional resources including on-site services can be available for any club that wishes this assistance. If your club would like to make use of these additional resources, please have your Player Engagement lead or Team Clinician contact Dr. NiiLampti.
A short time ago, and after discussions with the two teams and the NFLPA, we advised Buffalo and Cincinnati that last night’s game will not be resumed this week. No decision has been made regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date and we have not announced any changes to this weekend’s schedule. We will promptly advise all clubs of any decisions that are made regarding these matters. If you have any questions in the meantime, please call me or any of our senior staff.”

2:19 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Buffalo Bills update team's Twitter profile with picture of Damar Hamlin's jersey

On Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills updated their Twitter profile to include an image of Damar Hamlin's number 3 jersey.

The team noted the change with a tweet that read: "#NewProfilePic."

The Bills' profile picture also currently reads: "Pray For Damar."

See the tweet:

2:27 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

How Hamlin collapse evokes chilling similarities to Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen’s ordeal

From CNN's Ben Church

Christian Eriksen receives medical treatment on the pitch at Euro 2020 in Denmark. (Martin Meissner/Pool/Getty Images)

It’s been over 18 months since Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch at Euro 2020 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The Danish midfielder received life-saving treatment during his country’s game against Finland in June 2021, eventually being resuscitated and taken to hospital.

The players on the pitch, those inside the stadium and fans around the world held their breath as Eriksen’s teammates linked arms to hide his fight for survival.

They were scenes that bore similarities with Monday night when Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field.

Like Eriksen, Hamlin also suffered a cardiac arrest. According to the Bills, his heartbeat was restored on the field and the 24-year-old remains in a “critical condition” at a Cincinnati hospital.

Buffalo Bills team trainers got to Hamlin within 10 seconds of his collapse, similar to the team doctors who had saved Eriksen’s life.

Read more here.

1:56 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Buffalo Bills say team will not hold media availability on Tuesday

From CNN's David Close

The Buffalo Bills will not conduct any media availability on Tuesday at the team’s headquarters in Orchard Park, New York, the Bills' communications team said.

“Due to the ongoing situation with Damar Hamlin, the Bills will not hold any media availability today,” the Bills said.

1:36 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Bills-Bengals game won't be resumed this week, according to NFL

The NFL Communications Department tweeted Tuesday that it will not resume the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills after Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field Monday night due to cardiac arrest.

"The NFL has made no decision regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date," it added.

Here's the full statement:

1:41 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition, Buffalo Bills say

Damar Hamlin is being hospitalized at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Damar Hamlin remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit in critical condition, the Buffalo Bills tweeted Tuesday.

"Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center," the team tweeted. "We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far."

The 24-year-old safety was hospitalized after he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed mid-game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

12:42 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals president says that "humanity and love rose to the forefront" on Monday night

From CNN's David Close

Cincinnati Bengals President Mike Brown said "the human side of our sport became paramount" following Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest during the Monday night game between the two teams.

"First and foremost, the Bengals continue to send thoughts and prayers to Damar Hamlin and his family," he said in a statement released by the team on Tuesday.

"Our hearts are with everyone in this unprecedented time — what we can do is support one another," Brown said.

The game was postponed by the NFL.

“Last night was supposed to be a great night for the NFL and a great showcase for our hometown. Instead, the human side of our sport became paramount ... and in that moment, humanity and love rose to the forefront," he continued.

“The Bengals are thankful for the love and compassion shown by all. Praying for Damar,” he ended the statement.

12:28 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

Multiple NFL teams cancel Tuesday media availability plans after Hamlin collapse

From CNN’s Jill Martin and Wayne Sterling

Some NFL teams have canceled their pre-scheduled Tuesday media availabilities as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest on the field Monday night.

The Houston Texans told CNN the team canceled its Tuesday player availability and have given their players the day off from football activities.

The Indianapolis Colts postponed its Tuesday media availability for some assistant coaches out of respect for Hamlin, a spokesperson told CNN.

CNN does not have an exact number of teams that have opted to cancel Tuesday availability, and some teams have proceeded with previously scheduled sessions with reporters Tuesday.

One of those teams that moved forward was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, currently speaking with reporters, said he has “got a lot of respect and love" for Hamlin. He’s known the Bills safety since Hamlin was around 12 years old, Tomlin said.

12:26 p.m. ET, January 3, 2023

NFL Players Association says its "focus remains on Damar"

The NFL Players Association put out a new statement on Tuesday afternoon saying: "Our focus remains on Damar."

The union said in a tweet that it continues to be in touch with the teams and the NFL "to ensure that Bills and Bengals players have every resource" available to support them during this time.

In a follow-up tweet, the NFLPA encouraged its players to reach out if they need someone to talk to and linked to the union's mental health and counseling page on its website.

See the tweet: