The Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills had their “Monday Night Football” encounter in Week 17 cut short after Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin suffered a severe injury.
In the wake of the injury, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and Bills head coach Sean McDermott got together and sent teams to their respective locker rooms.
From there, an hour or so wait and conversations with the league office eventually led to the game being fully postponed. Understandably, no press conferences, interviews or details about the path forward after Monday night were given.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions to the situation from players, media and fans.
I wanna send a prayer to Damar and his family . 🙏🏽
— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) January 3, 2023
Sending all the Prayers to Damar & his family🙏🖤
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) January 3, 2023
Love you 3💙🙏🏼
— Cal Adomitis (@CalAdomitis) January 3, 2023
this game is played by humans. always remember that
— Chidobe Awuzie ℗ (@ChidobeAwuzie) January 3, 2023
🙏🏿 Praying for you Damar may the good lord heal you. Inshallah
— Hakeem Adeniji (@Keem78theGreat) January 3, 2023
It's way bigger than a game ❤️3
— Tyler Boyd (@boutdat_23) January 3, 2023
My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIsland the Hamlin Family. I’m praying that you pull through bro. Love 🙏🏾💙
— Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) January 3, 2023
Still speechless. Prayers to DHam and his family. 🙏🏽 Please God be with them! Please.
— Jessie Bates III (@jlbiii3) January 3, 2023
Joe Burrow hugging Josh Allen, this moment broke me #mnf pic.twitter.com/1XCdviO2vd
— Austin Luff (@AJMMA_) January 3, 2023
Neither team will be making statements tonight.
—
The support staff that traveled with Buffalo was told to pack their gear. They were given no information on if they are traveling back tonight or staying put. #Bengals #Bills | @WLWT— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) January 3, 2023
Utter silence waking out of the stadium.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) January 3, 2023
Damar is the priority right now, but thinking of Tee Higgins too. A standard play that unfortunately spiraled into an unfathomable tragedy. I hope folks are checking in with Tee. I cannot imagine how he's feeling.
— Ayrika Whitney (@AyrikaWhitney) January 3, 2023
#Bills Damar Hamlin's Community Toy Drive GoFundMe has a $2,500 goal.
It now has over $245,000 raised in the last hour. 💙
Donate here: https://t.co/dUuvtdC9sU pic.twitter.com/5AQTYu6jvi
— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) January 3, 2023
I know it's so very secondary, but on a night when we're all just searching for words or thoughts or something to explain what we just saw, I'm very proud of my friends at ESPN for the stoic professionalism with which they've handled this unprecedented evening. Goodnight, all.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 3, 2023
While you pray for Damar say one for Tee Higgins too. Just being involved in the play can wreck your mentals and emotions. Pray for them all.
— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) January 3, 2023
Per Joe Buck, once officials gave each team 5 minutes to warm up before resuming play, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor walked across the field and consulted Bills HC Sean McDermott. Both coaches then sent their teams to their respective locker rooms. Such a classy move by Taylor.
— Paxton Boyd (@paxton) January 3, 2023
Cincinnati Bengals Fan Makes A Sign Praying For Damar Hamlin 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/VWRBHG6SUi
— NFL Daily (@SportsContent23) January 3, 2023
Was just informed neither team will hold a press conference tonight so we will have no comment from Zac Taylor in a news setting
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) January 3, 2023
Kudos to Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor for being the adults in the room. That's leadership and I gained a lot of respect for the Bengals coach and organization.
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) January 3, 2023
No good answer. But who cares. What if none of them want to ever play again? This is bigger than football scenarios!
It’s our NFL brother https://t.co/kEp9mo8NjK— Andrew Whitworth (@AndrewWhitworth) January 3, 2023
Just remember this was Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor getting this game stopped. League was ready to begin after a five minute warm-up period. Coaches stepped in. Good on them.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 3, 2023
Both coaches have handle this unfortunate situation like the leaders they are. Prayers for that young man and his family.
— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) January 3, 2023
The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin. We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 3, 2023
