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The entire sports world is still stunned by Monday night's scene, as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Buffalo News reporters Mark Gaughan and Katherine Fitzgerald share insight into what Hamlin is like in the locker room and off the field. In addition, Fitzgerald offers her first-hand account of what it was like inside the stadium Monday, and Gaughan puts the Bills’ season into perspective as Hamlin remains hospitalized in critical condition.
This episode of the PlayAction podcast was recorded Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. At the time, Hamlin was in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Tom Brady and NFL players donated to Damar Hamlin’s charity after the frightening incident Monday night. As of early Wednesday morning, donations to Hamlin's foundation, Chasing M's, surpassed $6 million.
Photos: Prayer vigil for Damar Hamlin held outside Bills team store
Fans gathered for a prayer vigil for Damar Hamlin at the Buffalo Bills team store at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 3, 2023. The Buffalo Bills safety remains in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest Monday night during their game at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Damar Hamlin Vigil
Jill Kelly, the wife of Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, speaks at a prayer vigil for Damar Hamlin at the Bills Team Store in Orchard…
Damar Hamlin Vigil
Alden Community Church Pastor Matt Gold speaks at a prayer vigil for Damar Hamlin at the Bills team store in Orchard Park on Jan. 3, 2023. The…
Damar Hamlin Vigil
Paul Jackson displays emotion at a prayer vigil for Damar Hamlin at the Bills team store in Orchard Park on Jan. 3, 2023. Hamlin, a Buffalo Bi…
Damar Hamlin Vigil
Noah Reuss, right, prays with a woman at a vigil for Damar Hamlin at the Bills team store in Orchard Park on Jan. 3, 2023. Hamlin, a Buffalo B…
Damar Hamlin Vigil
Raziya Hill prays at a vigil for Damar Hamlin at the Bills team store in Orchard Park on Jan. 3, 2023. Hamlin, a Buffalo Bills safety, remain…
Damar Hamlin Vigil
A tribute to Damar Hamlin is displayed on a monitor outside the Bills team store in Orchard Park on Jan. 3, 2023. The Buffalo Bills safety rem…
Fans gathered outside Highmark Stadium to pray for injured Bills player Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
A sign at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, pays tribute to Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac a…
Photos: Fans gather in support of Damar Hamlin
Brandon Metzger lights candles before a prayer vigil for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin outside of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel, right, pauses during a timeout salute to former University of Pittsburgh football player Damar Hamlin, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
A sign shows support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin outside Highmark Stadium on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
People pray during a prayer vigil for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin outside of University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during the Bill's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
A painting that shows the number of Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin is illuminated by candles during a prayer vigil outside University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
A sign and roses left in support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin are seen outside Highmark Stadium on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Bills fans and community members gather outside Highmark Stadium for a prayer circle for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The family of Damar Hamlin expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support shown toward the Buffalo Bills safety who suffered cardiac arrest after making a tackle while asking everyone to keep the hospitalized player in their prayers on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Thurman Thomas, left, and Patti Thomas, right, listen during a prayer circle for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The family of Damar Hamlin expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support shown toward the Buffalo Bills safety who suffered cardiac arrest after making a tackle while asking everyone to keep the hospitalized player in their prayers on Tuesday.(AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Buffalo Sabres players walk towards the locker room upon arriving wearing shirts in support of Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
A scoreboard at Great American Ballpark displays a photo of Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after collapsing on the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Football fans gather outside of University of Cincinnati Medical Center and pray for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin collapsed Monday while going into cardiac arrest after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin was sedated and in critical condition Tuesday. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
A person holds a Buffalo Bills candle during a a candlelight vigil for Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin collapsed Monday while going into cardiac arrest after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin was sedated and in critical condition Tuesday. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
A person holds an electric candle during a vigil for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin collapsed Monday while going into cardiac arrest after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin was sedated and in critical condition Tuesday. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)