Damar Hamlin’s Uncle Offers Update About Injured Bills Safety

The Buffalo safety’s uncle shared news about his nephew, who went into cardiac arrest during Monday’s Bills-Bengals game.

Editors’ note, Jan. 4, 3:40 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to reflect Jordon Rooney's comments regarding Hamlin's resuscitation.

As Bills safety Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, his uncle Dorrian Glenn provided an update on the health of his nephew as well as more details about what happened following Hamlin’s collapse during Monday’s Bills-Bengals game.

Glenn told CNN on Tuesday evening that Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice, once on the field and once at the hospital. The Bills had previously tweeted that Hamlin’s heart did stop. However, Jordon Rooney, a friend and marketing rep for Hamlin, told CNN on Wednesday that Hamlin was only resuscitated once. 

In addition to the resuscitation, Glenn told WIVB-TV in Buffalo that Hamlin is now on 50% oxygen after originally being on 100%.

Currently, Hamlin remains sedated and is receiving treatment at UCMC. He spent Monday night in the intensive care unit after he went into cardiac arrest during the first quarter of Monday Night Football.

Hamlin made a tackle on Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins and returned to his feet but ultimately collapsed on his back on the field at Paycor Stadium. The 24-year-old received CPR before he was placed in an ambulance and taken to UCMC, leaving players and fans distressed and concerned.

After Hamlin received medical attention, NFL officials initially talked to each head coach and allowed the teams a reportedly brief time period to warm up before resuming play. However, shortly after that decision was announced, both teams left the field and returned to the locker room. The game then went into what was called a temporary suspension.

But nearly an hour later, the NFL announced that the game would be postponed. Earlier on Tuesday, the league announced that the matchup between Cincinnati and Buffalo would not be rescheduled for this week.