As soon as the first responders began CPR on Damar Hamlin, thoughts instantaneously went back to June 12th, 2021, when Christian Eriksen collapsed in the middle of a European Championship soccer match.
First responders and medical personnel got to Eriksen within seconds because they saw the response of Eriksen’s Denmark teammates and knew something was horribly wrong. Danish defender Simon Kjær rolled Eriksen on his side to keep his airway open. Physicians Morten and Anders Boesen hurried to the downed player with a defibrillator.
Eriksen was in cardiac arrest, just as Hamlin was Monday night when he collapsed on the field at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium. Eriksen, Hamlin. Hamlin Eriksen.
Hope.
That was the thought. Hope. Hope?
“He was gone,” said Morten Boesen, Denmark’s team doctor, told reporters. “And we did cardiac resuscitation. And it was cardiac arrest.
“How close were we? I don’t know. We got him back after one defib. That’s quite fast.”
Hamlin’s teammate, cornerback Dane Jackson, like Kjær, was the first to instantaneously recognize that this was no common injury, He should know. He was taken off the field by ambulance after suffering a neck injury on September 20th.
Hamlin spoke about that experience on One Bills Live earlier this season.
“I can’t even describe it, but I cherish it every second that I can,” Hamlin said. “Every second of every day. We just had our prayer, our DB prayer we do every Wednesday. He was next to me and I just grabbed his hand a little bit harder just because … you never know when your last day could be that you get to experience something like this. I’m cherishing every moment that I can.”
Team medical personnel got to Hamlin in seconds, just as Martin Boesen and his brother, Anders, also a doctor, got to Eriksen. Eriksen was given oxygen and the Boesens began CPR. Hamlin was given oxygen and CPR.
I remember reviewing the tackle and thinking that it seemed as if Hamlin’s chest caught the shoulder of Cincy wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin got up after the tackle for a few seconds before collapsing. It was like a switch went off.
Another thought flashed as I prayed to see Hamlin move any part of his body: Part of the training one undergoes to be a Little League coach years ago is in CPR. The league medical expert was cautioning us to be aware when a player gets hit in the chest with a pitch or a batted ball. The electric rhythm of the heart can be short circuited. Time is urgent. Aid must occur immediately.
Hamlin is physically much more mature than a Little Leaguer and these words are strictly those of an armchair, amateur observer. We had a child faint on the field and thankfully a doctor was in attendance and immediately began CPR. The ambulance arrived quickly. That kid finished the season, happily cheering from the dugout, no worse for wear.
Hope.
Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored. He remains in critical condition, and it would be imprudent to think he’s out of the woods. But he’s in the woods, fighting for his life. He’s in this fight because of the incredible expert medical care that was available in Paycor Stadium, just as it was at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium, where Eriksen collapsed.
Hamlin’s family released a statement on Tuesday.
“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time. We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.
“We also want to acknowledge the dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar. We feel so blessed to be a part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support.’
Eriksen was 24 when he collapsed. Hamlin is 24. Eriksen returned to play in the Premier League 259 days after his heart stopped on the pitch. The hope here isn’t that Hamlin plays an NFL game in 259 days. The hope is that he walks out of the hospital sooner rather than later, maybe after taking a phone call from Eriksen.
That’s the only hope.