LAS VEGAS — One of the most shocking weeks in NFL history has ended just as it began.
Meanwhile, five days after Buffalo Bills safety Dumar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after collapsing on the field during a game in Cincinnati, the league and millions of fans grappled with their addiction to football. I repeatedly squeezed my chest and my teammates and opponents cried.
The NFL has been in many crises, including after the attacks of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to abandon New Orleans. But the league didn’t have to grapple with the spectacle of doctors and paramedics on the field trying to save the lives of players during primetime games watched by millions.
Hamlin remains in critical condition, but his breathing tube was removed on Friday and he sent his first post on social media on Saturday.His Recovery Licensed Leagues, Players And Fans To refocus on the sport they love as the regular season ends this weekend.
When Las Vegas hosted Kansas City and Tennessee traveled to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars, it was a little twist on the old saw. Some signs of the debilitation that Hamlin’s injury threw at the league were mostly only seen before the game.
In Las Vegas, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes wears a cutoff with an image of Hamlin and the words “Hamlin Strong” on the back, one of many tributes to Hamlin at Allegiant Stadium. I warmed up with this hooded sweatshirt.
Most Raiders players wore black warm-ups that read “Love for Damar” and had his number 3 on the front. No. 3 was outlined in dark blue, the Buffalo Bills colors, at every 30-yard line.
“The entire NFL family has been praying all week as Buffalo Bills forward Dumar Hamlin continues to recover,” the announcer said before the national anthem. “The Raiders are asking you to join us in this moment of support and love for Damar and to support him and his family as they continue to fight.”
The scene was similar in Jacksonville, but with a twist. After both teams warmed up, all of the Jaguars and Titans players and coaches gathered at the 50-yard line to kneel and pray for about a minute. The cheering TIAA Stadium fans fell silent.
Then I went back to football. In Las Vegas, Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson threw his 75-yard ball into his zone in the opposing end and started the game with a touchback. Mahomes and his offense then plagued the division rivals for his 60 minutes in a 31–13 victory.
More on the Collapse of Dummer Hamlin
In Jacksonville, the Titans took a 10-0 lead, trailing running back Derrick Henry. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence responded by throwing a 25-yard touchdown score to receiver Christian Kirk. The Titans led 13-7 at halftime. The winner of the game will clinch the AFC South title and host a wildcard round game next weekend.
And just like that, the National Football League kept fighting after a week of anguish and unanswered questions.
It was only two games, but it was a very important game for the NFL. The NFL spends billions of dollars marketing violent sports, but it hopes to never reap the worst consequences of that violence. rice field. Because he was a stark reminder to fans that he could end up far worse than a concussion or a torn ligament.
The game in Las Vegas also progressed while players were still processing what they witnessed Monday night.
Mahomes, wearing a “Love For Damar” shirt after the game, said it was “definitely weird” to be back on the field after Hamlin’s injury. “You have it deep inside,” he said.
He said Hamlin’s improved condition made it easier.
“Now we know a little bit of the final thing. Alright, this is what we have to do. Go out and give joy not only to us, but to the rest of the world that is watching us.” Let’s go,’ he said.
The game looked like any other NFL game. There were spectacular plays, terrible fumbles, fans scrambled for the camera, and halftime entertainment from a band past its prime.
Fans also seemed eager to return to football. In Jacksonville, the tailgator enjoyed cornholes, beer pong, grilled burgers, and mix his cocktails. Inside the stadium, the standing his-room-only crowd waved white towels and cheered the Jaguars (basement regulars) on their first chance to return to the playoffs since 2017.
Public address announcers at both stadiums asked the audience to “join in a moment of support and love for Damar” before the national anthem was played.
Far from the game, Hamlin was recovering.bill said on saturday He continues to make progress at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, but he remains in critical condition. In a video chat, Hamlin spoke with some of his teammates.
“A long road, keep praying for me!” read a new post on Hamlin’s Instagram account on Saturday.
Injuries are inevitable in football, and players are used to competing through pain that sidelines the average person. I’m used to keep playing. The Raiders had to make it Saturday when linebacker Harvey Langhi left the game with a concussion.
But Hamlin’s injury, which threatened his life, wasn’t something a player could compartmentalize. The match was postponed and eventually cancelled. Both have little precedent in NFL history.
Kansas City defensive lineman Chris Jones said: “I think you’re trying to cover it up with what’s going on around you.”
The NFL designed a tribute to Hamlin, but few Las Vegas fans seemed to do so. A few fans in the stadium wore Bills jerseys, but there were just as many in gear representing the Cowboys, Seahawks, and other teams.
Frank Nostro, 54, who wore the Josh Allen No. 17 Bills jersey, said he watched Hamlin get hit Monday night. “I thought it was just a regular blow. I see a lot of players going down with concussions and such,” he said. “But when you see some coaches and staff in replays and panicking, you realize it was really bad.”
Nostro, who grew up in Buffalo and moved to Las Vegas 30 years ago, was most interested in seeing the Bills win. “If the Raiders win today, it helps Buffalo,” he said.
The Raiders didn’t help the Bills. With this win, Kansas City regular ended his season with his 14-3 record and byeded him in the first round of the playoffs.
Kevin Draper reported from Las Vegas and Ken Belson from Jacksonville.
