Good morning from the OBB. This is your Tuesday morning wake up call. We will start this morning by going to the Sports Talk channel as Discord-U reacts with heavy hearts to the tragic event that happened between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. The Greentree can wait for another day.

Sports Talk

The unthinkable and tragic happened last night. After making a tackle, Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and fell into cardiac arrest. Hamlin most likely suffered from a condition known as commotio cordis. This is when a sudden impact to the chest occurs and the heart simply cannot take such impact.

The inopportune resulting electrical impulse created in that moment puts the recipient into ventricular fibrillation. (Cardiac Arrest) It is a very rare occurrence however cases of it have happened in various other sports as well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hamlin and his family as he was transported in critical condition to a Cincinnati area hospital.

The Bills did issue a statement regarding the incident at 1:49 a.m. Tuesday.

“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing & treatment. He is currently sedated & listed in critical condition.”

OPINION: The NFL failed its players. There should have not been any deliberation on whether the contest should have continued. There was a moment when it looked like the game was going to resume. Both teams went to the sideline and started warming up. But a policy should have been clear and it should have been immediately available.

The NFL’s Troy Vincent who is now the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL had this to say, “How do you resume play after you’ve seen such a traumatic event occur in front of you in real time?”

The question should have not been how.

In a moment of such crisis, the NFL still had deliberation on its hands instead of definitive measures. Immediately when the first responders performed CPR on Hamlin and cardiac arrest was confirmed, the game should have been called. If lightning strikes in the area, the policy is very clear. People leave their seats, seek shelter and play will continue later when deemed safe. So why not here?

Another caveat. The emotional toll on the players who witnessed Hamlin’s injury is perplexingly immense and the individual ramifications are not always readily seen. The emotional trauma they received should have the same attention and abundance of caution as the concussion protocol. Except this wasn’t one individual’s head hitting the turf. It was collectively and simultaneously all of their hearts.

The witnessing players should not be cleared to return until licensed professional counselors or appropriate medical professionals deem them fit to return. The NFL isn’t in the business of life and death and the aftermath that goes with it. It showed. And like so many organizations do, they are now forced to be reactionary when the proactive off ramp was missed by miles.

This wasn’t the first time an NFL player died on the field. During a game against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 24, 1971, Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes clutched his chest and fell to the ground. He was later pronounced dead at the age of 28. That game was allowed to finish to its conclusion. The NFL has some history here. One it should try to learn from.

“Jaquan seemed inconsolable, as did every other player they’ve shown”

“Wow. I imagine, based on what I’m seeing, is that his teammates just want to go be with him and don’t give a single F*ck about this game.”

“Game is cancelled.”

“That’s just a regular hit. How often do we forget how f*cking insane this game is.”

Hamlin started his Chasin M’s Foundation to raise money to buy toys for children in need. The fundraiser, which had a goal of $2,500, now has raised more than $3 million overnight. Fans have been generously making donations as well as sharing hope filled messages of support and prayers with their donations.

“As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me,” Hamlin wrote in the GoFundMe post.

To donate, click here.

Join the discussion today and be part of Discord-U. The OBB Legend is its exclusive home and we will put a welcome mat out for you. (Quotes were provided from Discord-U) #staydangerous #BANG. wake up.