NFL’s Troy Vincent says NFL did NOT want to resume play after Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest

NFL manager Troy Vincent is doubling down on his claim that the league had no intention of restarting play in Cincinnati on Monday after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game against the Bengals.

The 24-year-old is awake and showing signs of recovery after collapsing and reviving during Monday’s Bills-Bengals game in Cincinnati.

During Monday Night Football, ESPN play-by-play announcer Joe Buck repeatedly told viewers that the league plans to resume play after a five-minute warm-up.

NFL manager Troy Vincent (L) doubles down on his claim that the league had no intention of restarting play after Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest following reports to the contrary

Additionally, San Francisco Chronicle reporter Mike Silver has reported that the NFL’s “first impulse” was to try to resume play until players and coaches refused and walked off the field.

“I just want to clarify,” Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations and a former league player, said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters.

“Just that suggestion alone was inappropriate, it was insensitive and, frankly, it lacked both empathy and compassion for Damar’s situation, who is still around and fighting for his life today. It lacked completeness, and it was just so insensitive to think that we even considered playing again.

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

“The only thing that mattered to me, the team here, the people in the stadium and the coaches was the health and well-being of Damar and getting those coaches back in the dressing room so they could look and see those players in the eyes who they are are. They hurt, there was a lot of pain. And in conversation with the commissioner [Roger Goodell] and communicating with everyone, it was just important… we just couldn’t play.

Buck, too, doubled down on his version of events in an interview with the New York Post, saying that ESPN acting pundit John Parry was in direct contact with the league.

“They said they’re going to give these players a five minute warm-up to get ready,” Buck told the Post after Vincent initially denied that claim earlier in the week.

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

ESPN also defended Buck’s coverage in a statement.

“There was constant, real-time communication between ESPN and league and game officials,” the network said.

“As a result, we’ve reported what we’ve been told at the moment and immediately updated fans as soon as new information emerged. This was an unprecedented, rapidly developing circumstance. We refrained from speculating all night.’

The Washington Post reported a possible explanation, writing that Parry normally speaks with the league’s acting department, but “this decision had escalated beyond those with whom Parry normally communicates.”

Hamlin remains sedated in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after collapsing during Monday’s Bills-Bengals game at Paycor Stadium.

His marketing rep, Jordon Rooney, told The Associated Press that his client is moving in a “positive direction.”

“We all remain optimistic,” Rooney said.