On January 2nd, a highly anticipated primetime NFL matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals was set to take place. Unfortunately, 25 minutes into the game, Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed onto the field due to cardiac arrest and the game was delayed. Hamlin was treated with an AED and CPR on the field before being put onto a stretcher and being transported to the hospital on an ambulance. It was announced shortly afterward that he was in critical condition and that the game would be postponed. Three days later, the game was canceled.

Thousands of fans at Paycor Stadium and millions of viewers across the country were left in shock as they watched Bills and Bengals players form a circle of prayer before heading into the locker room. Soon after, the prayer circle of a few NFL players turned into one that stretched across the entire NFL community. After seeing what had happened, millions of NFL fans nationwide showed their support on social media. Following the fans, the social media accounts of every NFL team joined them expressing their prayers, as well as the accounts of many NFL players all across the league. It didn’t take long for the nationwide circle of prayer to stretch beyond the NFL too, as professional athletes who don’t play football such as LeBron James sent their well wishes toward Hamlin.

Along with their gestures on social media, many people decided to help Damar Hamlin by donating to his GoFundMe to support the Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive. The foundation was created by Hamlin and used to support toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids camps, and more. While Hamlin was recovering, the GoFundMe exceeded the $2,500 goal and raised more than 8.9 million dollars. One of the top donors was Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, who donated $25,003.

What happened to Damar Hamlin on the last Monday Night Football game of the regular season was undoubtedly a highly unpredictable and frightening thing to occur. However, the impact that this event had on the country was truly remarkable. The true beauty of sports was displayed, and that was how everyone was brought together to help Damar Hamlin.