As Georgia prepares for a national championship game in the college football playoffs, the fatal incident of Buffalo Bills safety Dummer Hamlin on Monday Night Football continues to have a major impact on the sport. It was a powerful reminder that football is a dangerous game and life is short.
Hamlin remains in critical condition continuous progress in his recovery. The 24-year-old is breathing on his own and his neurological function is “excellent.”
While the positive update is encouraging to the football community at large, Monday’s tragic events impacted the lives of athletes at all levels. Includes bulldog.
It’s not easy to get back on the field after witnessing such a terrifying moment. Even in the biggest game of the year.
Kirby Smart, who has been Athens’ head coach since 2016, spoke to the media on Saturday about how he handled the situation for his players. Their mental health came first.
Smart was preparing for TCU while watching a movie during Monday’s Cincinnati-Buffalo game. He was made aware of Hamlin’s downfall by the school’s 30-year athletic trainer, who was actually in the program when he played in the late 1990s.
On Tuesday morning, Smart met with the players and was joined by athletic trainers, Team Chaplin and mental health professionals. They prayed together, spoke openly, and addressed the situation from a mental health perspective.
In addition, Smart and his staff educated players on what happened and how medical teams are in place to save lives. He also commended the first responders on Monday night.
Georgia Football isn’t the only team to focus on mental health following the downfall of Dummer Hamlin. Bills quarterback Josh Allen spoke earlier this week about how he and his teammates continue to process trauma.
As the football world continues to process the seriousness of Hamlin’s situation, it will continue to come to mind when the Bulldogs take the field in Los Angeles. We want you to know that you are, and we want to make sure your mental health is a top priority.
