During the highly televised Monday Night Football last week, the Buffalo Bills were matched up against the Cincinnati Bengals where a regularly televised event turned into a would-be tragedy. During the first quarter as the Bengals were driving down the field, Bills safety Damar Hamlin went for a tackle on wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin then proceeded to get up for the next play, but suddenly passed out and collapsed onto the ground.

As the nation watched, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field and the medical team had to perform CPR in attempt to restart his heartbeat. Cardiac arrest is a very serious situation, but it is different than a heart attack. During cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating, and the medical team must take action immediately.  

Luckily they were able to successfully restore his heartbeat on the field and he was sent to UC Medical Center. Upon Hamlin’s arrival, he had to be resuscitated again. Since he was not able to breathe on his own, doctors had to sedate him and place him on a ventilator that gave the struggling football phenom 100 percent oxygen to stay alive.

The first few days were touch and go.  Due to the skilled medical staff, his family, and the overwhelming support from fans, Hamlin’s oxygen was reduced to 50 percent oxygen meaning that he could better breathe on his own.

According to CNN.com, Hamlin has been released from the hospital in Cincinnati only a week after his near-death experience and returned to Buffalo, New York to continue his stages of recovery.