1/3 10:36 AM PT -- 1/3 -- The Bills just provided a health update on Damar Hamlin, saying their starting safety spent the night in the intensive care unit ... where he still remains today. The team says DH is still in "critical condition."
The Bills also sent a message to football fans across the world, writing ... "We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far.
1/3 8:53 AM PT -- 1/3 -- Damar's family just released a statement ... saying they, "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."
The family says Hamlin has been receiving exceptional care at the hospital ... and they are appreciative of the help from healthcare professionals and first responders.
The statement continued ..."We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they've done. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us."
The Hamlins ask everyone to keep praying for Damar as he continues to battle back to health.
10:57 PM PT -- Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field Monday night, according to the Buffalo Bills, who provided an update on his condition. Thankfully, Damar's heartbeat was restored before he left the field in an ambulance.
Hamlin is currently at UC Medical Center -- a level-one trauma facility -- where he's receiving treatment and undergoing testing.
The Bills say Damar Hamlin, who is sedated, is in critical condition.
9:28 PM PT -- Diggs and other Bills and Bengals players showed up to the hospital Monday night to support Hamlin … as well as fans of both teams.
ESPN reports Diggs pleaded with police to be allowed into the building to be with his teammate ... and eventually, he was able to enter.
Stefon Diggs joined Bengals and Bills fans outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in support of Damar Hamlin.@ColeyHarvey reports from Cincinnati: pic.twitter.com/H9NsrANay8
— ESPN (@espn) January 3, 2023
According to the report, Diggs told the cops, "This is my teammate. I have to be here for my teammate."
Troy Vincent -- the NFL's VP of Football Operations -- also addressed the situation in a conference call just now ... claiming resuming the game was never on the table.
Vincent also denied there were talks of having a 5-minute warm-up before continuing the matchup ... saying, "It never crossed our mind to talk about warming up to resume play."
"That’s ridiculous. That’s insensitive. That’s not a place we should ever be in."
7:08 PM PT -- The NFL says Damar Hamlin is currently in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
7:02 PM PT -- The league has announced the Bills vs. Bengals game will not continue on Monday night following Hamlin's injury. A makeup date and time have yet to be revealed.
Horrifying moment during the Bills vs. Bengals game on "Monday Night Football" -- Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin collapsed at the end of a play ... and required CPR in the middle of the field.
The incident happened just minutes into the game's first quarter ... right after Hamlin tackled Tee Higgins to the ground.
The 24-year-old -- a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft -- appeared to get up from the stop just fine ... but he seemed to lose consciousness as he got to his feet, and crumpled to the ground.
Medical personnel raced onto the field -- and according to the game's announcer, Joe Buck, officials performed CPR on him for several minutes.
He was eventually strapped to a backboard and loaded onto a stretcher. He was then taken off the field in an ambulance.
The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lDWNAOEPX4
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
Players from both teams were visibly concerned for the defensive back -- Josh Allen buried his face in his hands, while Stefon Diggs had tears running down his face. Reporters on the scene said multiple other players were seen crying.
The league has temporarily suspended play in wake of the injury.
Story developing ...
Originally Published -- 1/2 6:22 PM PT