Hunter Yurachek: Injury Will Cause ‘Sharpening’ of Hogs’ Protocol

Razorbacks have had plan in place, but now will have real-world example to examine

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Like much of the country, Arkansas athletics director saw the horrific injury on Monday Night Football.

"I knew right away something was wrong," he said Tuesday afternoon via phone. "You also knew it wasn't good."

The injury occurred when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a tackle in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

At first, everything appeared routine.

Until Hamlin suddenly collapsed. The reaction from the players, who see injuries all the time, was almost immediate and near-panic. That told everyone something was seriously wrong.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) reacts as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) is tended to on the field and taken off by ambulance in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. (Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY Sports)

As of Monday night, Hamlin was still alive and in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital. Mostly because of the quick reaction of the NFL's plan for such an event, although it fortunately never had to be experienced in real time.

The Razorbacks have the defibrillator units located at all of their home venues. Emergency staff are in the facilities and on standby during all events.

"We have a lot," Yurachek said. "Don't know the exact number, but could get that from our facilities people. Walk past them a lot in our venues."

Fortunately, everything has just been practiced for such an event at a Hogs' event. But Hamlin's injury will have everybody checking into things.

"Our medical people and trainers will be reviewing our procedures for sure," Yurachek said.

The SEC will also be looking at it closely with new medical advisor Catherine O'Neal, who is a associate professor of Clinical Medicine at the LSU Health Sciences Center.

Every team in the league will be watching the situation and analyzing it closely.

"Everyone will make sure all of us sharpen our procedures," Yurachek said. "The NFL will send us a lot of information about what they had planned worked and what could have worked better."

That will help everyone be better prepared.

For something no one really wants to put into live action.

HOGS FEED:

BILLS' DAMAR HAMLIN LEAVING FIELD ALIVE DUE IN PART TO A COUPLE OF OTHER TRAGEDIES IN SPORTS

RED FLAGS WITH JORDAN DOMINECK DEPARTURE DESPITE RECENT PLEDGE TO STAY

OHIO ST. LEARNED WHAT ARKANSAS ALREADY KNOWS, TEXAS/OU NEED TO LEARN ALSO

RAZORBACK FANS STUN ALLHOGS STAFF WITH MOST CLICKED STORY OF THE YEAR

IF TCU CAN MAKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, NO REASON ARKANSAS CAN'T EITHER

SAM PITTMAN GETS HISTORIC CHANCE TO REBUILD RAZORBACKS' PROGRAM

TWO MORE HIT THE PORTAL AS RAZORBACKS CARRY TORCH FOR SEC IN BOWL GAMES

RAZORBACK FANS WILL HAVE TO CHEER AGAINST EX-RAZORBACKS AT RELIAQUEST BOWL

OFFICIATING IN LIBERTY BOWL ALMOST COST SAM PITTMAN MUCH MORE THAN A WIN

SAM PITTMAN NEEDS TO DEVELOP KILLER INSTINCT BEFORE NEXT SEASON

WHY ARE ARKANSAS FANS COMPLAINING AFTER A BOWL WIN?

COVERING RAZORBACK FANS' EMOTIONAL CRISIS DURING TWITTER DOWNTIME

PORTA POTTIES INCONVENIENT, BUT NOT CHILD TRAUMATIZING LIKE WAR MEMORIAL USED TO BE

JUSTICE HILL WAS ALWAYS DESTINED TO BE ON COURT WITH MUSSELMAN, RAZORBACKS CHASING SEC TITLE

PEOPLE SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME TALKING ABOUT WHO ISN'T PLAYING IN EITHER ARKANSAS SPORT

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