More important things

On January 2nd, the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals were playing a big Monday night football game in Cincinnati. Both teams are having a great season and have the opportunity to play themselves into the Super Bowl. About nine minutes into the game Bills’ Safety Demar Hamlin made a tackle on Bengal receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins rammed into Hamlin’s chest and both players hit the ground. Hamlin stood up and took two steps before dropping to the field.

The Bills’ trainers and team doctor immediately knew something was wrong. They started CPR and then EMTs arrived along with the ambulance. This was no simple injury it was a life or death situation and Hamlin had to be revived more than once. As the medical personnel worked on Hamlin a quiet crowd prayed and members of each team prayed together. They weren’t rivals at this point in time they were concerned and caring men holding out hope that a teammate, friend, colleague and fellow member of the National Football League would live to enjoy another day.

Emotionally shaken as Hamlin was loaded into the ambulance, everyone knew this was no ordinary injury where the player that was injured would give a thumbs up to the crowd. Hamlin wasn’t conscious to be able to do that. The game would be cancelled as Hamlin’s well-being was the only thing on anyone’s mind and the thought of finishing a football game after what had happened was out of the question

Hamlin was taken to the University of Cincinnati Hospital in critical condition. He was in a comatose state for a couple of days before he started to respond to treatment. When Hamlin came to and addressed his teammates in a Zoom type of meeting the first thing that he asked is who won the game. After what went on and the response from all over the USA and fans and nonfans all were praying for this kid. I would say that America won. We understood what really matters in these situations.

Hamlin has a charity that raises money to purchase toys for less fortunate youth. He had a goal of raising $2500. After fans became aware of this charity, Americans from all over the country donated over $8 million at last count.

It will be a long haul for Hamlin and his future as a professional football player is in doubt but who knows with the miracle of modern medicine. I do know that there are pundits out there that question if football should be banned. Football has come a long way in the last 50 years. There are better helmets, shoulder pads and other gear to help cushion the contact. Playing surfaces have been improved and the rules of the game are utilized for player safety.

But there will always be that fluke hit to the helmet or blunt force hit to the chest. Ankles and knees, arms and shoulders will always be vulnerable but that is the nature of the game. We are an accident waiting to happen every day we get out of bed or get into our cars. At least there are referees to control the game of football. Percentage wise we are nowhere near that number of law enforcement on the roadways. So who is more protected from major injuries?

My takeaway from what happened in Cincinnati on the second day of the New Year is that we are a nation that can come together for a greater good for our fellow man. We don’t have to know them to care about them. I don’t have a clue about Damar Hamlin. I don’t know where he grew up. I did see that he attended the University of Pittsburgh and I do know that through no fault of his own he is in a hospital recovering from a heart attack at the age of 24. Since he is in great physical shape he should be able to make a full recovery. For what has happened I have been a little bit more of a Buffalo Bills fan. But for sure there are a few more important things in this world than playing any sports. Care about your fellow man no matter who they are.

—Dale Anderson is a columnist from Ritzville. Email him at [email protected].