American football star Damar Hamlin is in critical condition after collapsing during a primetime US National Football League game.
The Buffalo Bills player, 24, fell to the ground after colliding with an opponent during the first quarter of a match against the Cincinnati Bengals.
He received on-field medical attention for over 30 minutes before being taken to a local hospital, AFP reported.
The NFL suspended the game for the night about an hour after the incident.
Jordon Rooney, Hamlin’s representative, wrote on Twitter: “His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests. We will provide updates as we have them.”
Hamlin, who plays in the role of safety, was tackling the Bengals’ receiver Tee Higgins when Higgins’ helmet appeared to hit Hamlin in the chest. After initially getting to his feet, he fell on his back.
Medical officials administered CPR to Hamlin on the field for more than 10 minutes and provided him with oxygen as he left on a stretcher, ESPN said.
The outlet also reported that members of Hamlin’s family, who were attending the game, rode with him in the ambulance to the nearby hospital.
Players from both teams gathered around Hamlin during the treatment. Several were seen visibly distressed, with many kneeling to pray and some in tears.
Television coverage repeatedly broke away from the scene on the field, and the crowd in Cincinnati remained silent during the ordeal.
