The Buffalo Bills safety suffered cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Athletes, celebrities and sports fans alike have come together to offer support and prayers for Damar Hamlin after the Buffalo Bills' safety collapsed during Monday night’s game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.
During the first quarter of Monday's matchup, Hamlin tackled Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, and both men appeared to be uninjured following the tackle. However, shortly thereafter, Hamlin appeared to stumble and collapse on the field. He was swiftly attended to by medical personnel, who reportedly gave the athlete CPR on the field. He was also placed on a stretcher, given oxygen and taken to the hospital via ambulance.
NFL commissioner Robert Goodell announced the postponement of the game. The NFL also released a statement confirming that Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest.
While Hamlin remains in critical condition, he has improved since his admittance on Monday. The athlete's agent, Rob Butler, told CNN on Thursday that the Buffalo Bills safety is awake and has been holding hands with family in the hospital.
Agency 1 Sports, who represents Hamlin, tweeted an update on the 24-year-old's health on Thursday, writing, "The outpouring of support for Damar across the nation has been amazing. Thank you for the calls, messages and emails. Damar has made substantial improvement overnight. We are so thankful for all the first responders, doctors, hospital staff and everyone who has played a role in this process. Please continue to pray for Damar and we will provide updates as they are available."
Amid all of the amazing support, Hamlin's spokesperson, Jordon Rooney, told ET that the athlete's family is just asking for continued prayers as the NFL star continues to recover.
"They appreciate the support and and they're going to utilize that support when the markets better to inspire the next thousands, hundreds of thousands of people," he said. "They're very big on giving to the next person. That's just who they are. The most important thing for them is they just want to say thanks. They are so incredibly thankful for everyone."
Sports figures and celebrities have offered their well-wishes in droves, taking to social media to share their sympathy for the injured safety.
"Bills Mafia is with you," the official Twitter account for the Buffalo Bills posted on Monday.
In a show of solidarity, all 32 NFL teams changed their Twitter profile pictures to support Hamlin, with the NFL's Twitter account proclaiming that "Football is family."
"Damar Hamlin is the best of us," his alma mater tweeted. "We love you, 3. Praying for you."
Buffalo Bills players Josh Allen and Dawson Knox took to Twitter to ask fans to keep Hamlin in their prayers.
"Wow. I am praying for you @HamlinIsland. Praying for health and safety," Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos quarterback, tweeted on Monday. Ciara shared her husband's sentiments in a tweet, writing, "Praying for Hamlin. Jesus please let everything be ok," along with heart and prayer hands emoji.
Kirk Franklin offered up a prayer, writing, "Lord, please be with Damar Hamlin, his team, and his family... my heart hurts in this moment for him," while Snoop Dogg posted an image of Hamlin on Instagram, captioning the post with a prayer hands emoji.
Country singer Mickey Guyton also sent her well-wishes, as did MC Hammer, mega-producer The-Dream and many more. See their messages of support ahead.
Since the medical emergency, fans have been offering support to Hamlin by donating to his The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive GoFund Me page. So far, the donations have already far surpassed its $2,500 goal with over $4 million raised.
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