# Damar Hamlin collapses on field (Now cleared to play football) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [January 3, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560 "2023-01-03T02:15:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/181 "2023-01-05T22:53:12Z")
> [@TheCuse](#): > > I am not saying that at all. I am saying it was probably the last thing on his mind. According to the doc, he had no idea how much time had passed or how bad the situation was. He went from playing a game to suddenly being in a hospital. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/182 "2023-01-05T22:54:03Z")
Where’s Bobot wanting a cite for that claim? Maybe Thing.fish should be outraged at you and not me as well Glad the guy is okay. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/183 "2023-01-05T22:56:11Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > According to the doc, he had no idea how much time had passed or how bad the situation was. He went from playing a game to suddenly being in a hospital. His question makes sense to me, given that. It may or may not have been the _first_ thing he asked, but the last thing he remembered was being in the game, and it seems like a natural question to ask. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/184 "2023-01-05T22:56:17Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > According to the doc, he had no idea how much time had passed or how bad the situation was. He went from playing a game to suddenly being in a hospital. According to the doc, he made that statement **after** the entire thing was discussed. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/185 "2023-01-06T00:10:10Z")
> [@TheCuse](#): > > I’m sorry–but this “did we win?” thing is bullshit." Classic Dope right here. Contrary just for the sake of it. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/186 "2023-01-06T01:03:43Z")
Can we just be happy that he is neurologically stable? As far as sedation goes, while you do sedate people on ventilators, you often lighten the sedation to test their neurological status. In addition, if you want to extubate them, you do not want them sedated.In a case like this, it depends on the patient. If he is not too uncomfortable, he can be awake. Remember that there are people who live for years on a ventilator who are awake and functioning ( such as Christopher Reece). ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/187 "2023-01-06T01:29:43Z")
I am very late to this thread, and haven’t read any further, but I was at a bar watching the game, and a guy next to me said this literally 10 minutes after Hamlin collapsed. “Gotta be that COVID vaccine”. I responded, “what???”. He just said “yup, definitely”. I decided that the idiot wasn’t worth responding to any further, as I continued to watch the heartbreaking event. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/188 "2023-01-06T01:34:09Z")
Christopher Reeves. They haven’t yet mentioned if he’s been extubated. The reports that’s he’s asking questions and communicating suggest that he might be, but they could be using non-verbal communication. Hopefully that’s on the near horizon if it hasn’t happened yet. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/189 "2023-01-06T01:36:05Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > They haven’t yet mentioned if he’s been extubated. The reports that’s he’s asking questions and communicating suggest that he might be, but they could be using non-verbal communication. I saw mention in the ESPN story that he was writing his questions, because he could not yet talk (due to the ventilator, I assume). ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/190 "2023-01-06T01:42:03Z")
That makes sense. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/191 "2023-01-06T02:01:54Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Even if Hamlin didn’t need such a device, he would probably be too psychologically traumatized/wary to ever play a down of football again. [Chris Pronger](https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/chris-pronger-recalls-his-scary-cardiac-event-with-the-blues/article_8df5aceb-96fb-52d3-9ffd-17faa772152d.html#tracking-source=mp-sports), the 23-year old NHL player who suffered a similar injury, was back on the ice two days later. Hamlin may be physically unable ever to play again, but psychologically he might be eager to get back. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/192 "2023-01-06T02:05:57Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Christopher Reeves. [polite cough] Reeve. [/polite cough] ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/193 "2023-01-06T02:29:39Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Hamlin may be physically unable ever to play again, but psychologically he might be eager to get back. He might be psychologically eager, but also psychologically unable. I’ll relate the story of Thomas Rawls. He was a rookie undrafted free agent running back the Seahawks picked up as one of Marshawn Lynch’s backups. Lynch had hernia surgery halfway through the year and Rawls became the starter and was a DYNAMO. He ran all over the field with abandon, barreling through people like a kamikaze, and he was amazing. His very first game he got over 100 yards. He had 169 yards his second game. His third game he ran for 209 yards, which was the most yards in a game for a running back in Seattle since Shaun Alexander (who had one 266 yard game in 2001), and to this day is the second-highest number of yards for any Seahawk running back in a single game. It was also the most yards ever for a RB rookie in Seattle, and in that game he also broke an NFL record as the first player to ever have 250+ yards from scrimmage, a rushing TD, and a receiving TD in the same game. Seattle fans finally saw what the running game would look like after Marshawn left, which we knew would be soon. (And in fact, Marshawn retired for the first time after that season, coming back a year later to play for the Raiders for a couple of years, then retired a second time, only to return for a few games in 2019 for the Seahawks before retiring for good.) Anyway, Rawls was the future, clearly. He was great over the next couple of games as well, as a rushing TD machine, and in his 5th week as a starter was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. Then the next week he broke his ankle and his rookie year was cut short after 5 amazing games as a fantastic starter. Fans were disappointed, but also hopeful, because a broken ankle isn’t that impactful of an injury in the long term. Surely he would be able to rehab and be ready to go next year. And he was, as the starting RB week 1 the next year. But he wasn’t the same. He only had 32 yards on 12 carries, less than 3 yards a carry. He did get 26 yards on 3 catches, not too bad. But nothing we had come to expect. In game 2, he had 7 carries for -7 yards before breaking his fibula. And then he missed the rest of the season. But again, just a broken leg. Not a crippling injury, just a fracture. And he did end up returning for the postseason, getting 161 yards in a game against the Lions in the Wild Card round (a Seattle RB postseason record). (Believe it or not the Lions made the playoffs that year.) The following year he was healthy. He had fully recovered from his injuries and was ready to go, physically. But not mentally. He clearly had the desire to play but he only had 157 yards for 58 carries on the year. It wasn’t his fault completely, the offensive line was awful, but he wasn’t the same player. That same reckless abandon he had as a rookie was long gone. He was hesitant and didn’t take chances. It was clear that he didn’t have it in him. His legs were fine but his spirit was broken. Seattle released him, and he was signed to a few teams in the years following but never saw the field, and he was done as a player. I just remember that, how being injured can totally change a player psychologically, even after the physical recovery is complete. You just never know. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/194 "2023-01-06T02:30:13Z")
I would think you’d have to be fairly sedated to put up with a tube. I remember coming out of heart surgery and having the tube removed and it was… confusing. Probably unpleasant but I was just waking up. I would imagine another minute and I would have been combative as I became more aware of it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/195 "2023-01-06T02:31:33Z")
Will insurance ever let him play again? Can they stop him? I am hopeful he makes a full recovery and takes the NFL pension if he qualifies for one now. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/196 "2023-01-06T02:32:41Z")
It’s almost certain that he has income insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/197 "2023-01-06T02:34:02Z")
I would have no idea, I don’t know how long term disability and so forth work for athletes who earn big bucks. I wonder what his salary was. Was/Is he a famous player? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/198 "2023-01-06T02:54:58Z")
Not particularly so, other than the fact that he _is_ a professional football player. He was drafted in the sixth round last year, and was a backup until one of the Bills’ starting safeties suffered a neck injury early this season, at which point he became the starter. Given that he was drafted low, and wasn’t a starter until another guy got hurt, his contract is likely at or just above the NFL minimum for a second-year player. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/199 "2023-01-06T02:56:44Z")
Cross posting from the week 18 thread: It’s official that the game won’t be replayed and will be considered a no-contest. They’re considering holding the afc championship at a neutral site if it ends up being KC vs Buffalo or Cincy. > ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/200 "2023-01-06T06:40:27Z")
Well, shit. Gaudere’s 2nd corollary, I guess. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560.md?page=11)