Damar Hamlin: Dion Dawkins opens up about Bills’ player’s cardiac arrest

The Buffalo Bills’ Dion Dawkins has become the first teammate of the hospitalized Damar Hamlin to speak out about his on-field cardiac arrest.

Hamlin, 24, is said to be “trending upwards” but remains sedated and in critical condition in intensive care about 36 hours after collapsing and being administered CPR in the field.

The family has revealed the player suffered “lung damage” after being resuscitated twice in Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and one of Hamlin’s teammates has opened up about the horrific moment.

Buffalo Bills’ Dion Dawkins (L) recalled the moment Damar Hamlin (R) collapsed in hospital

“You look around and you see the medical staff doing their jobs and you know if it’s something small like someone’s downstairs, but they’re sitting up, the guys are moving at a nice pace,” said the offensive Tackle told CNN on Tuesday night.

“But when things like that happen, they wave very quickly and call people on the field and call for the elite medical staff – that’s when you really realize that something is really, really wrong.

“It was one of the first experiences for me where something like this happened, where it silenced a whole stadium that was in turmoil half a game ago.”

Hamlin was taken to the hospital – the University of Cincinnati Medical Center – after colliding with Bengals’ Tee Higgins in the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game.

Leading the congratulations sent to Hamlin on Twitter, Higgins wrote: “My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIslandthe Hamlin Family. I pray you make it through, brother. Love.’

On the game, the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin was injured, Higgins leading with his right shoulder that hit the defensive back in the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to pull him down.

Hamlin (No. 3) got up briefly after attacking Tee Higgins before falling back in shocking scenes as the Buffalo Bills played Cincinnati Bengals

Hamlin collapsed moments later, falling backwards and lying motionless on the floor

Bills’ players were visibly stunned as their teammate received emergency treatment on the field

Hamlin stood up quickly, seemed to be adjusting his face mask with his right hand, then fell back about three seconds later and lay motionless.

Surrounded by players from both sides, the Bills’ safety received treatment for 16 minutes before being immobilized and taken off the field. As medical personnel gathered around Hamlin, his playing uniform was cut off.

Players from both teams were visibly stunned by what had happened and many cried on the field.

Many players hugged, including quarterbacks Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. The game was postponed by the NFL.

Dawkins added: “Whether you’re a believer or not, only a higher power can truly take control of what comes next. Our people who helped also supported this higher power. But in that moment you just have to be vulnerable and let the prayer rise and work your magic.

The NFL confirmed the Bills-Bengals game will not resume this week after being postponed. The league also denied reports that they were planning to resume play on Monday night.

“I’m truly blessed that we didn’t have to keep playing,” continued Dawkins. “The fact that we didn’t have to go back onto that field and play just shows that there is care and that’s all we can ever ask for is that we’re treated as human beings.

“Most people just treat us as athletes, as superstars, and some people like celebrities, but at this moment, they are [the NFL] treated us like human beings. And being treated as a well-groomed person is a nice feeling.”