Pat McAfee Talks How Damar Hamlin's Incident Is Bigger Than A Game And Football As A Whole 

If there’s one positive consequence that came out of Hamlin’s life-threatening injury, it’s the love, compassion, and overall sense of community everyone has exhibited. As a diehard Bills fan, I would like to thank everyone for that, and showcasing that regardless of what team we root for, we’re all connected as one. With that said, I truly hope Damar gets well soon, and can make a full recovery. And I hope Tee Higgins doesn’t blame himself, as this terrible event isn’t remotely his fault. Both parties are in my thoughts. 🙏

As a 64 yr old grandma, I can say I know little about football. When I heard what happened to this 24 yr. old man, I was heart broken. While looking on different sites for updates I came across your channel. You spoke so passionately about the sport, the fellowship and the concern for one another. Most channels didn't convey the humanity of the situation you did by speaking from your heart. My thoughts and many many prayers go out to Damar and his family and team mates. (same thing)

My 70 old dad survived 15 min of CPR and he was treated at UC as well

Coach Zac Taylor of the Bengals showed TOTAL class by completely supporting Buffalo being unable to continue. Taylor and McDermitt getting together in support of each other and quickly agreeing this game has no business happening tonight is everything right with sportsmanship.

I am a hardcore Bengals fan. This shook me to my core. When I saw those players, I knew there wasn't going to be the game I had circled on my calendar. A game I looked forward to, for a long time. The opening drive was awesome, and the come back three was great. I was so jacked. When I saw those players crying, I didn't care any more. I knew that dude was in trouble. I watched for hours, just hoping for the best. It became a human moment. Seeing people pray, the respect the Bengals have for the Bills, it reminded you that football is a human sport, and these guys cry and feel like everyone. My heart was in my throat. I wanted to know this young man was going to live. I didn't even think about the game. Humanity is amazing. It transcends football, it transcends everything. People love one another, and those that strive to divide us, especially over race, really make me mad. I didn't even think about his color. I saw something scary, and I just wanted him to live. That was it. I was in shock and sad. This man has many Angels looking over him, and a nation and world of human beings putting it all out for him. Football? Not then.

Jiri Fischer, Rich Peverley, and Christian Erisken recovered from cardiac arrests during games. Hopefully Hamlin will too. Prayers for him.

The players surrounding him to block the cameras from seeing what was happening was incredibly moving. I’m praying for him.

Any serious injury is bigger than a game and football as a whole. Cuz it's just something you dont want to see. EVER. Everyone that watches football, you expect the injuries because of course, it's that kind of sport. But what we all saw last night was something far more serious and frightening. Just the look on the entire Bills team faces said it all... It was just so sad and so scary. And all you can do is just pray for Hamlin

It warms my heart to know that we as people aren’t desensitized to something like this happening. Regardless of our differences as people we can come together all for the well being of an individual❤ that gives me hope. Prayers to Hamlin,his family as well to his friends

This happened in a high school game that my buddy was playing in years ago. Unfortunately, the young man did not survive. Legitimately praying for this young man to have a quick recovery and be able to enjoy his life afterwards. 🙏

Someone needs to check in on Tee Higgins also. I'm sure he is beating himself up over this even though it was not his fault even the slightest...

One of the best things I saw is the Bills and Bengals fans conduct at the stadium and holding a vigil at the hospital. It’s the humanity displayed, the outpouring of prayers and support for the young man.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

seeing those two coaches and all the players coming together during a time where nobody knows what to do, really just brought me to tears

I’ve seen it a few times in hockey where players collapse on the bench unfortunately. Jay Bouwmeester and Rich Peverley each had frightening moments like that, but there was news relatively quickly afterwards. Last night was so different because of how little news there was.

That was a world stopping moment right there. Absolutely incredible the response from the medical staff. Big ups to Hamlin, I hope he pulls through 🙏

Prayers for Damar Hamlin…hope he gets better as soon as possible

My biggest takeaway, outside of being in prayer for Damar Hamlin. Was how the 1st responders were so heroic in saving Damar's life! For them to be able to step up, and perform life saving procedures. In that setting, in that scenario, where the world was watching. Was so heroic! My heart goes out to Damar & his family!❤️ I hope he makes a full recovery!💯🙏

This situation just reminds me so much of when it happened to Christen Erickson at the euros last year.. prayers to him man

Chris Pronger had a similar incident in hockey and went on to the hall of fame so I'm hoping there is something similar that comes of this

The commentators and studio handle this situation with class and respect. Like booger said, this is life and death, football can wait

been around the game for 50+ years. played, coached, my kids played. Saw a bunch of nasty injuries over the years, but not anything like this. U could see the tears in Joe Burrow's eyes. I hope the young man makes a full recovery. If he makes it back to the Bills roster it's an inspirational story.

As scary as this was because it was on a nationalize televised event this isn't as rare as you'd think. You can type into Google and find lists of high school football players who just collapsed during practice, or a game or something and well... the worst happens, but unless you are connected in some way to that community you usually don't feel too much other than a "oh man that sucks for that kid" type of feeling but when you actually get to watch it you have a whole different perspective similar to hearing a story about CPR being performed on someone to actually seeing it, it's quite jarring because yeah you are pumping VERY hard especially with someone who's larger (either via fat or muscle).

Big, tough gladiators crying their eyes out. Chuck Hugh’s died on the field in Detroit in 1971 and the Lions and Bears finished the game. Prayers to the young man’s family.

Love it Pat The Pat McAfee Show Bro

Man watching it live, at first I didn't think much of it, but after the eerie breaks and seeing Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs crying...that just turned things as south as they can get. Was on the verge of tears discussing with my dad that we might've witnessed his final moment, thank God and thank the team medical staff and the UC Hospital doctors for their life saving efforts. The CPR might've been the reason he's still alive, keep pray for him to get better and successfully recover from such a horrid experience.

Prayers up 🙏

If anybody reads this, this exact thing happened to Chris printer in a hockey game.

Happened to Chris pronger during a Blues Game against the Red Wings. He got hit in the chest with a puck and his heart stopped, thankfully he would be ok. Scary though.

I had open heart surgery this past year and my employer kept selling products.

This is a reminder that life is precious. Also, have you trained in CPR or using a defib? I haven't, but I signed up today.

It really had me messed up mentally and I didn’t even play in the league.. That was rough🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Hope he fully recovers I also hope this doesn't scare people cause this isn't just a football injury. We all have risks , just driving to your job in the morning is a risk. Let's start showing this same compassion for all our fellow man

I remember checking the score online, thinking they should be further along than almost 6 minutes left of the first quarter, then I checked about a half hour later, and there’s no change. I’m thinking, what’s going on? Then I hear later I hear about this.

When I played semi-pro here in Indy a guy was blocked on a kick return. Same exact thing happened to him but unfortunately he didnt make it off the field. Never think playing a game you love could end your life on something as routine as a block or tackle not involving the head. What makes it so rare is the hit has to come in a very specific moment in the hearts rhythm, which is milliseconds of time.

as a soccer fan last year I tuned into a Euro 2020 Denmark vs Finland game , it’s a day I’ll never forget for all the wrong reasons. I hoped to never see that again in my life. Sadly I witnessed something last night that couldn’t help but remind me of what happened to Christian erisken that day. One thing that keeps me hopeful is that erisken made a full recovery and is back to playing footy at the level he was before. Hopefully Demar Hamlin will have the same recovery. 🙏

Total tragedy but ive never seen better sportsmanship in my life !! As a bills fan watching the bengals console bills players it was heartwrenching, then to see the picture of the lone bengals fan holding up a pray for 3 hamlin sign i was in awe of the bengals and their fans...... keep fighting damar !!!

We had a local high school kid have this same injury early this season, he is recovering but it has been a slow road

Absolutely crazy… Praying for him his family and the players…

Scariest moment I've witness on TV since Owen Hart, Prayers up to Hamlin and his fantasy. 🙏🤲🏾

The" it's bigger than football" is getting corny. Those of us who live in reality already know that, and don't need to be told. It's the corporations and Vegas that need to be told that. But they don't Give AF about that young man or the shock those players suffered.

I was in shock and still shook. Fortunately, it sounds like he is stable and doing better. Prayer duo for him and his family 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Last year happened something similar at the european football (soccer) championship to a danish player eriksen. His heart just stopped beating for a while on the pitch. But there was no contact beforehand.

I remember Hank Gathers, I remember Pontus Segerstrom, as soon as that happened I knew I just witnessed cardiac arrest. Truly heartbroken for his family. Hope that he makes a recovery and return to his family.

Honestly, those medics and Dr's kept him alive. What we saw was the intensity given when manually keeping another persons heart alive! It's real!

As a former first responder for 5 years we see incidents like this on a daily basis. Wishing all involved a speedy recovery physical and mentally.

RIP Uche Nwaneri thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery damar Hamlin and his family. Football is family sports is family

The only other time I remember something similar happening on field was the Reggie Brown injury for the Lions back in 1997 when ambulance came on the field and CPR was performed. Prayers for Hamlin and his family.

Moments like these are a good time for us to step back and introspect about our own lives and realize that as scary a thought it is to be one of the players, friends, or family members - we will all one day be in Damar's shoes ourselves, and have to face that Great Transition regardless of name, fame, net worth, etc. And all we will take with us is who we are in our souls - the good we have done for others, the love we have given, and the forgiveness we have shown. May God and the Great Ones bless Damar, his family and friends, the fans, and the NFL. Everything will be alright; such moments come not to scare us, but to wake us up. God bless.

I had no idea how this guy was until last night, he is an amazing human being, and I believe his is gonna make it

I don't remember the names of the teams, but this instantly reminded me of the college football game not too long ago where a fight broke out between two teammates because the captain didn't like one of his players extending a hand to help up the quarterback of the other team. I think this is why sportsmanship is important so that players are looking out for everyone's safety and supporting each other.

Leaving that stadium last night was so bizarre. Just disbelief and confusion everywhere you looked. Such a freak incident, hoping nothing but the best for Hamlin.

Pat. Look up Matt Sklom. 18 yr old died at Ferris State university in 2002 on the practice field from C. C. He was a great kid and my brother.

I was there and it was very somber in the stadium. 🙏🏻 For Demar and his family!

Reminded me of the same incident as Christian Eriksen during the Euros, I doubt it was a football related problem but either way hope he recovers

This something similar that happened to DJ Hayden I believe when he was in the university of Houston, definitely a bang bang play

Above all else, hope he recovers fully. Hope he's able to keep playing. Wonder if NFLPA will advocate for some chest pad revisions to help in the future. Like cut away laces to make cpr easier.

I think one of the biggest questions going forward is: How will the NFL address the risk of this injury occurring going forward? If this really could happen to anyone, then what changes do you make to get the players to feel like they will be safe?

When more and more athletes that got the sh!tsh0t keep dropping, it’s going to be hard to keep covering it up.

Let’s thank the hero’s that went to work that day that responded quickly, calmly, and efficiently to (hopefully) save this kids life. That’s such a stressful situation to be in and in such an awkward environment. Real hero’s

Certain things that recently happened are also increasing risk of heart complications. ❤️

Brought me to tears thinking of all the friends I've lost through different jobs for random reasons. I miss all of those good people. Hope he makes it to see better days

Prayers for Damar

I was following the game on the yahoo sports app and saw the game was delayed. I checked the weather for Cincinnati. I couldn't believe what happened.

Commotio cordis usually requires a very hard impact to a specific spot on the chest directly over the heart which is only roughly the size of the person's fist. A hockey puck or baseball being hit into an unprotected chest is much more likely than a broader shoulder or helmet more evenly distributing that force across the chest wall through the protection of shoulder pads. That is why it is exceedingly rare in football even compared to its how litrle it is in baseball or hockey. It is also why commotio cordis shouldn't be the only consideration or investigation done into why.

I remember something similar happening to Chris Pronger back in 1998 where he took a puck to the chest and collapsed from commotio cordis. Scary situation. Very rare. Prayers for Hamlin!

My life will never be the same, and I feel like I'll have this anxiety everytime I watch the game

Prayers up

i’m not a religious man but damn, i’m definitely praying for Damar, his family, and the Bills organization 🙏🙏🙏

I’ve been a sports fan for over 30yrs!! I’ve never witnessed anything so damn scary in my life… Prayers up to Damar n his family!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

I obviously did not hear everything said by the talking heads about this terrible incident since Monday night but I did not hear anyone even mention Darryl Stingley which I still remember. Did anyone hear that injury brought up by any coverage? Prayers for a recovery.

I knew there was major trouble once I saw McDermott without a headset talking on the side line. I knew who he was speaking to. It was surreal. As a life long fan of the Bills I remember the Everett injury, and that was horrible. Thank God the doctors in Buffalo acted quickly he's with us and walking. My heart breaks every time I think of Damar today. So young, so well loved by anyone who's met him. Idk how the Bills recover from this? As a team this yr? Screw the standings. How do the players and staff play Sunday against the Pats? God bless everyone involved!

As a huge football fan this was the first time in my entire life that I had questioned if I would want my future kids to play football. Completely speechless almost 24 hours after the fact thoughts and prayers to everyone involved.

I feel bad for Tee Higgins man I know his mind is fucked right now being part of that shocking moment 😔

My uncle was watching the game in his room when myself and aunt and mom was watching NCIS when he told us to flip to the game scariest thing I ever seen and I don’t know anything about football 🏈 but it is a hardcore sport both fun and dangerous!

Something very similar happened in Euro 2020. A Denmark player, Eriksen collapsed on the field and had to have AED administered. Horrible scenes. Luckily he made a full recovery. Praying for Damar 🙏🏼

The real sad part is even if and when he's back to normal he'll never be able to play another down on a football field. His dream is now over along with trying to support his family for the rest of his life is now also over thats the real sad part

Y'all grifters don't care enough to pause the bs to call out what we all know is reason . Wasn't first and won't be last culling victim

As soon as I saw the replay and saw no head trauma I knew what it was, because back in the day a guy in my neighborhood almost died from a hit to the chest at the construction site where he was working. Nobody knew what was wrong because it didn't seem like he got hit that hard, and by the time the ambulance was called and got him to the hospital it was too late. That always stuck with me--hits to the chest can be deadly if they catch the heart in a particular part of its rhythm.

example of brotherly love amongst humans in a drastically terrible situation. Why Not everyone Live/Love this Way All Day Everyday!!? Simply no doubt this IS POSSIBLE!

We all know what happened

I hope this kid is gonna be ok . such a bright young kid. Everything I've heard about him is nothing short of a great man. Prayers up to u Damar the ENTIRE NFL community is praying for u! I bet Nobody is gonna wanna tackle after this every player is gonna have this run thru their head every play. How do play after this

Something similar happened few years ago in soccer. Ajax player:34 Abdelhak Nouri(1 of the biggest talent in the world and nicest kid ever).he never will recover full. He can't play soccer anymore but he is honoured en respected by world star soccer players until this day.i hope Hamlin will recover🙏💪

I never wore football pads and I am not sure how much protection there is for the chest and heart area. However, I wonder if they will add more protection to that area. Kind of like they do with football helmets.

Prayers for the man 🙏 Remember this is a man's game. They knows the risks. They know what kinds of things comes up with this. They get paid millions for a reason. Cause this is part of the game and it's the part that doesn't happen often.

Happened here in Portugal in a soccer game 18 years ago live on tv, 24 year old player, wasn't even hit, he was just walking on the field and fell over, later died at the hospital. Hopefully things turn out better for Damar.

So a fan falls from the upper deck and dies during a game is no big deal to the players, but guy having a heart attack on the field is the end of the world? Some lives do matter more than others.

I know a dude that broke his neck on opening kickoff in high-school. He still in wheel chair. We finished the game. I was 16. No one cried. We knew it was bad. Just Bc we didn't behave as women and small children doesn't mean we lack compassion. Small Arkansas country town in the wooded hills. These dudes were crying tears. Who will be solid in the shake times if not men.

The game doesn’t even matter anymore, all that matters is that young men’s life. Prayers out to Damar & his family . 🙏🏽

Prayers for Damar✊🏾

This type of tackle probably happens millions of times a year at all levels of football. Played D-line back in the day and i can probably think of 50 times this happened to me in 1 season. Very rare and super unfortunate. Hoping for full recovery. God speed Damar

I hope Pat and the guys realize they have a smart ass, smart and compassionate fan base and that's what most GREAT long term endeavors have had. Peace you all

Damar Hamlin promoted vaccines they say.

Chief’s Kingdom is praying for Damar

Watching that live on television is something I don't think I'll ever forget. It literally got scarier with every commercial break. Just seeing him casually get up to then fall over like a plank of wood, seeing the ambulance, hearing that they're doing CPR, seeing all the horrified tearful expressions of Allen, Diggs, White, and the rest of the players, that's all gonna stick with me to my grave. Awful. Just awful. 😔

Tired of everyone making it about them, what’s going on with Hamlin?

I've been following the NFL for many years and I don't believe I've seen this happen from a routine tackle before. But then again, I've never seen the NFL mandated to take an experimental pharmacological intervention to keep their jobs either.

I'm glad I was up with my roommate watching it because had I been alone I wouldn't have been able to keep my composure. I wanted to let my tears out for Damar and all the people in that Stadium, but all I could do was keep watching and thinking about this poor guy. I was really shook man. Come back to us Damar 🙏

pat, u got to react to Jake Camarda's crazy athletic punt against the Panthers on new year's day.

This reminds me of when Jiri Fischer collapsed on the Red Wings bench in 2005. His life was saved by fast-acting physicians as happened with Hamlin. While Fischer never played hockey again he is still here for his family. I hope the same happens for Hamlin.

😢 sad day bro