A GoFundMe page for a toy drive that was set up by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin two years ago received more than $3 million in donations by Tuesday morning, more than 12 hours after he was taken to a Cincinnati hospital in critical condition.
Hamlin collapsed and had to have CPR administered on the field after tackling Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter of their 'Monday Night Football' matchup.
The game was stopped for an hour before eventually being suspended and postponed with no makeup date set.
The Bills issued this statement early this morning:
"Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in the Buffalo Bills' game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition."
Hamlin originally set up the GoFundMe page two years ago during his journey to the NFL and hoped to raise $2,500 for needy children in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, a small town just outside of Pittsburgh. Prior to the start of Monday's game, it had received $2,900 in donations.
The toy drive was brought back to attention on social media following Monday's incident.
Hamlin is a second-year safety that was a sixth-round draft pick out of the University of Pittsburgh.
The Pitt football program Tweeted that Hamlin "is the best of us" while also sending prayers and love.
Damar Hamlin is the best of us.
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) January 3, 2023
We love you, 3. Praying for you. pic.twitter.com/fYymfFsynp
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