Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin

Damar Hamlin's Fundraiser Tops $3M Hours After Sudden Collapse On NFL Field

Home / Sports / Damar Hamlin's Fundraiser Tops $3M Hours After Sudden Collapse On NFL Field

By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on January 3, 2023 at 5:45 AM PST

During Monday Night's Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals game, NFL viewers, players, and analysts watched in shock and fear after witnessing Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapse on the field.

The 24-year-old was down on the field as medical personnel rushed and gave him CPR for 9 minutes. He was then loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital in the Cincinnati area. Viewers have since learned that he suffered from cardiac arrest. At the time of publication, he is in critical condition.

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Damar Hamlin's Toy Drive

Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin
Instagram | Damar Hamlin

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin began an online toy drive fundraiser in 2020 to raise money to purchase toys for children.

“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," he wrote at the time. "I created The Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact.”

After NFL fans watched as Hamlin fought for his life, they came together and donations began to pour in to the GoFundMe fundraiser created by the Bills safety.

Within one hour of Hamlin's collapse, the fundraiser rose to $300,000 and within a few hours of the injury, the donations hit over $2 million.

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Overnight, the GoFundMe hit over $3 million from nearly 120,000 donations. And the numbers continue to climb.

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Buffalo Bills Issue Statement On Damar Hamlin

Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin
MEGA

With 5:58 left in the first quarter, the Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals game came to a stop after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suddenly collapsed on the field.

After giving CPR for 9 minutes, medical personnel rushed Hamlin to a nearby hospital. The game was officially suspended and the players and fans -- of both the Bills and the Bengals -- went to the hospital to join together and pray for Hamlin.

https://twitter.com/MattAnderson_8/status/1610128151694172169

At 1:48 a.m. ET, the Buffalo Bills organization issued the following statement on Damar Hamlin's condition.

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"Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in the Buffalo Bills' game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition."

At the time of publication, there is no further information regarding Hamlin's status and he remains in critical condition.

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The World Continues To Pray For Hamlin

Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin
Instagram | Damar Hamlin

Millions of people have been sending their love and support to Hamlin and his family after witnessing the scary incident take place on live television.

Former NFL player and current commentator, Robert Griffin III Tweeted, "Please don’t share the video of the Damar Hamlin play. Share this because we are all Praying for him and his family."

https://twitter.com/RGIII/status/1610100367169036289

And Arizona Cardinals player JJ Watt, who recently announced he would be retiring from the NFL after this season, Tweeted, "The game is not important. Damar Hamlin’s life is important. Please be ok. Please. ??."

https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1610098970243760129

And New York Jets player Sauce Gardner was one of the first to Tweet, "Father God, I pray that Damar Hamlin is okay and here with us. I also ask that he have a speedy recovery mentally & physically God; in Jesus name… Amen??."

https://twitter.com/iamSauceGardner/status/1610101952473448450

Again, at the time of publication, there is no further information regarding Hamlin's status and he remains in critical condition.

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