Uncle details grief at seeing Damar Hamlin collapse

Update 1 p.m. EST Jan. 4: A representative for Damar Hamlin’s family, Jordon Rooney, told The Associated Press Wednesday that he disputes Dorrian Glenn’s statements about Hamlin being resuscitated twice, without going into detail. Glenn is Hamlin’s uncle.

Original story:

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin had to be resuscitated two times after he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field following a tackle in Monday night’s NFL game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, according to a relative.

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Dorrian Glenn, Hamlin’s uncle, told CNN and ESPN on Tuesday that Hamlin’s heart had to be restarted a second time after the 24-year-old arrived at the hospital.

“His heart had went out so they had to resuscitate him twice,” Glenn said, per CNN. “They resuscitated him on the field before they brought him to the hospital, and then they resuscitated him a second time when they got him to the hospital.”

According to Glenn, Hamlin is sedated and remains on a ventilator to assist his breathing. Glenn said his nephew may have sustained some lung damage during the incident.

Glenn also appeared in an interview on the NFL Network and said that while Hamlin initially needed complete breathing support, his condition has since improved, and on Tuesday was needing 50% oxygen assistance.

“We were all in tears, man. And I’m not a crier. But I’ve never cried so hard in my life, man, just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life. I mean, that’s just heartbreaking,” Glenn told The Washington Post.

“They resuscitated him on the field before they brought him to the hospital,” Glenn continued. “And then they resuscitated him a second time when he got to the hospital. So I just want to show my gratitude for the medical staff that were on hand because if not for them my nephew probably wouldn’t even be here.”

Hamlin collapsed Monday after he tackled Bengals’ wide receiver Tee Higgins. It appeared that as the two collided, Higgins hit Hamlin in the head and chest area.

Following the hit, Hamlin quickly stood up, took two steps, then collapsed backward onto the field. His body appeared limp.

Hamlin received medical treatment on the field for nearly 20 minutes before being taken to the hospital.

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