The Scariest Day in NFL History
Do you remember the moment when the unthinkable happened on the football field? January 2nd, 2023, became a day that would forever change the NFL. It was supposed to be a typical Monday Night Football game, with two of the league’s best teams — the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals — fighting for the top spot in the AFC. The stakes couldn’t have been higher: the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage were on the line. Both teams had been playing exceptional football, and the energy in the stadium was electric as the game began.
The game started with everything we hoped for — fast-paced, high-energy, and full of promise. The Bengals struck first, marching down the field in under three minutes to score a touchdown. The Bills quickly responded with a 25-yard field goal, and the atmosphere in the stadium was so intense it was almost deafening. But just minutes into the first quarter, the unthinkable happened — the scariest moment in NFL history.
With just over six minutes left in the first quarter, the Bengals were driving. On the second play of the drive, Joe Burrow passed to Tee Higgins, who tried to break through the Buffalo defense for extra yards. As he was tackled by Bills safety Damar Hamlin, everything appeared normal. Hamlin got up, adjusted his helmet — and then collapsed to the ground.
The stadium, which had been full of cheers and excitement moments before, fell silent. Players and coaches rushed to Hamlin’s side, and within seconds, the field was flooded with medical staff. CPR was immediately administered, and the situation quickly escalated into a life-or-death emergency. For ten long minutes, medical personnel worked on Hamlin as an ambulance arrived at the scene.
The surreal silence was deafening as the ambulance made its way onto the field, and Hamlin was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. His mother was with him in the ambulance. The world waited in suspense, praying for any update on his condition. At 9:25 p.m., nearly 30 minutes after Hamlin had collapsed, the ambulance left the stadium — and the game was officially suspended.
As the stadium remained quiet, teammates and coaches alike sat in stunned disbelief, many of them visibly emotional. No one knew how to react — or if Hamlin would survive. Head coach Sean McDermott, visibly shaken, ultimately made the decision to pull his team off the field. The Bills players returned to their locker room, their minds far from football, unsure of what the future held for their teammate. After an agonizing 30 minutes, the NFL officially postponed the game.
For nearly three days, the world waited for news, and then came a moment of hope. On January 5th, the world learned that Damar Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest on the field, but he was alive. His heart had been restarted, and his neurological function was intact. The next day brought even more relief: Hamlin was able to breathe on his own, hold hands with his family, and communicate by writing. His first question? “Did we win?” His doctors responded: “You won. You won the game of life.”
The outpouring of support for Hamlin was nothing short of extraordinary. Prior to the game, his charity, the Chasing M Foundation, had raised $74,000 in donations. But after the incident, the amount skyrocketed to more than $9 million, as millions of people from around the world rallied behind him and his cause.
As time went on, Hamlin’s recovery became a beacon of hope. On January 9th, just one week after the collapse, he was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and moved to Buffalo General Medical Center. His condition had improved dramatically — from critical to stable — and he was able to walk and engage in physical therapy. Hamlin was well enough to visit his teammates, boosting their morale as they prepared for the playoffs.
On January 15th, in a highly emotional scene, the Bills played their final regular season game at home. During warm-ups, every team member wore a shirt that read “Love for Damar,” and the stadium was filled with fans supporting him. The Bills ran onto the field, proudly wearing Hamlin’s No. 3 jersey, and carried flags in his honor.
But the most unforgettable moment came when the Bills received the opening kickoff. After New England won the coin toss and chose to defer, the Bills took the field. What followed was nothing short of a fairy tale. Running back Nyheim Hines took the opening kickoff, broke a tackle, and sprinted down the sideline for a touchdown — the stadium erupted. It was a moment that seemed scripted for a movie, and Hamlin, watching from his hospital bed, celebrated the touchdown with excitement. According to his medical team, he leaped out of his chair and nearly set off every alarm in the ICU. His joy was contagious, and his recovery had become a symbol of strength and resilience.
The Bills went on to win the game 35-23, and after the victory, the team FaceTimed Hamlin, who was still in the hospital, and presented him with the game ball. A game ball was also given to Danny Kellington, the Bills assistant athletic trainer who had performed CPR on Hamlin and played a crucial role in saving his life.
As the season continued, Hamlin’s recovery continued to surprise and inspire everyone. A week later, he attended the Bills’ divisional playoff matchup with the Bengals, making his first public appearance since the incident. He spoke to the media, expressing his gratitude for the outpouring of support. The support from his family, friends, teammates, and fans around the world had been overwhelming.
Hamlin’s journey has been nothing short of miraculous. From that terrifying moment on the field to his recovery and his continued involvement in the NFL, his story has touched the hearts of millions. What began as the scariest day in NFL history has transformed into one of the most remarkable displays of love, unity, and strength the league has ever seen. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit — and to the incredible power of community.
Damar Hamlin is truly a symbol of survival, and his journey serves as a reminder of the importance of health, safety, and the unwavering support of family, friends, and fans. His story will forever be a part of NFL history.
