Buffalo Bills News: MNF suspended after chilling Damar Hamlin injury

Monday Night Football was supposed to be a joyous, competitive battle between two potential number one seeds in the AFC.

Instead, the entire football world witnessed a chilling moment.

Just after 8:50PM EST, Bills safety Damar Hamlin absorbed a hit which caused one of the scariest scenes we have ever seen on a football field. Out of respect for Hamlin, his teammates and family members, it’s not a scene we will post for anyone to watch.

Hamlin stood up for a split-second after the hit, and immediately collapsed with his knees buckling. From there, the game took a handful of commercial breaks. In between breaks, it was announced that Hamlin was given CPR.

An ambulance came onto the field and eventually took Hamlin away, with the entire Bills and Bengals rosters on the field, all taking a knee in a solemn, terrifying moment.

After about a half hour, it was announced that the teams would get roughly five minutes to warm up and that they would attempt to continue this game.

First of all, that decision was a putrid, spineless and downright disgusting decision made in haste. To try and watch ESPN’s on-air personnel make it through this moment was painful. Adam Schefter, Booger McFarland and Suzy Kolber were in tears as they tried to fill the time ESPN was giving them during the breaks.

It was not ideal for anyone involved, and very difficult to watch.

But, almost immediately after that announcement, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor walked across the field to meet Bills head coach Sean McDermott.

As he was walking across to meet McDermott, you could almost hear all of America saying, “I hope he’s going to do what I think he’s doing.”

Sure enough, Taylor discussed whether or not to even play the football game at this point. He and McDermott decided to take their players off the field and suspend play, allowing the teams to try and collect themselves — if that’s even remotely possible.

Both head coaches should be commended for their decision to put their players first. That’s without a doubt the right thing to do.

At this point, it’s not about the game. It’s not about playoff positioning. It’s not about winning streaks. It’s not about Monday Night Football.

Right now, it is about Damar Hamlin, his health and well-being, and all of his family and loved ones.

It should go without saying that all of Bills Mafia is lifting Hamlin up in their thoughts and prayers.