# 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:** 11
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/201 "2023-01-06T14:03:18Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > 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. There is a big difference in comfort between a trach and having a tube into your mouth and down your throat. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > 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. He does not qualify for a pension. He’s a second year player. You have to complete three years to be eligible for the pension. It only averages $43,000 a year anyway. From what I can see his current contract only has $160,000 in guaranteed money. He was in the middle of a 4 year contract averaging $900,000 a year. He was not a big star. He wasn’t even a starter at the beginning of the season. He wasn’t making star money. ---
**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, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/202 "2023-01-06T15:01:50Z")
Thanks. If not playing, perhaps coaching will be a path forward for him. I can’t see him back on the field again. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/203 "2023-01-06T15:17:30Z")
Maybe, but he’s going to need some form of insurance and health care for a while and starting at the bottom of the coaching ladder involves years and years of un- or underpaid work, often starting as an unpaid intern (with long hours to boot) and often little to no insurance. That’s assuming it’s something he would even want to do or have the aptitude for. I hope between the Bills and the NFL, they figure out a way to make sure he’s taken care of. At least for up to a few years until it’s clear he’s got a clean bill of health. That’s the least you can do for somebody who literally sacrificed his body for you on the job. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/204 "2023-01-06T15:19:42Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > I hope between the Bills and the NFL, they figure out a way to make sure he’s taken care of. He got his Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Pitt. Maybe broadcasting/color commentary? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/205 "2023-01-06T15:20:12Z")
They will take care of him. It’s the right thing to do and it would be an unimaginable PR disaster if they didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/206 "2023-01-06T15:29:16Z")
Yes, the league and the Bills should make sure he’s set for life, but he should also (health permitting) find abundant opportunities off the field. He’s by all accounts a smart, well-liked guy, and now his visibility and name recognition are off the charts. ---
**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, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/207 "2023-01-06T15:36:50Z")
This morning’s news is that Hamlin’s doctors removed the breathing tube last night – he’s now able to breathe on his own, as well as being able to speak. He’s been talking with his family, and making Facetime calls with his teammates. > **[Hamlin off breathing tube, FaceTimes with Bills](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35391812/bills-damar-hamlin-breathing-own-tube-removed)** > > Bills safety Damar Hamlin had his breathing tube removed and has begun talking with his care team, family and teammates. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/208 "2023-01-06T16:27:55Z")
The brain has enough reserve for five minutes of not breathing and more when CPR is quickly applied. The real question is whether he plays again. Although being hit at the wrong time can cause dysrhythmias, probably some people are at greater risk than others. I mean, how many thousands of tackles are there in any given week of college and professional football? I hope he makes a fast and full recovery. **Learning CPR is easy and makes a difference! Consider doing it, your local ambulance service offers inexpensive courses.** ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/209 "2023-01-06T16:40:17Z")
Football really is a dangerous sport. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/210 "2023-01-06T16:50:42Z")
One notable advantage for both Buffalo and Cincinnati is that their players effectively got most of the physical rest that a bye week would have given. Kansas City had to play a full game last Sunday but the Bengals and Bills each only played 1/5 of a game, thus getting more rest. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/211 "2023-01-06T16:58:58Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Football really is a dangerous sport “Back in the day” possibly even more so. Players would stumble to the sidelines after a hit with symptoms of concussion, then be back on the field minutes later. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/212 "2023-01-06T17:23:16Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Football really is a dangerous sport. True enough, but in this case the injury is one that occurs more frequently (if I’m not mistaken) in youth baseball. ---
**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 6, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/213 "2023-01-06T17:50:21Z")
I assume they had to get off his pads in order to do CPR. I wonder how they did that. Those never seem easy to get off, even more so if the player is unconscious. ---
**Author:** ![SoToasty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sotoasty/32/2803_2.png) [@SoToasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoToasty)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/214 "2023-01-06T18:10:07Z")
Not sure of the NFL pads, but most shoulder pads have a strap under the arms, and are laced in the front or back. So 2 cuts and unlacing or cuts in the laces, and you can slide them away. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/215 "2023-01-06T18:32:08Z")
Eric LeGrand is on the Rutgers football radio broadcast after being paralyzed in a game. Being a radio commentator on a local broadcast probably doesn’t pay a ton but they did what they could. ---
**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, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/216 "2023-01-06T18:39:56Z")
Tee Higgins, who Hamlin collided with, has received criticism and even death threats, with another sports media “shock jock” trying to call him responsible. > **[Micah Parsons blasts Bart Scott for horrendous Tee Higgins take](https://fansided.com/2023/01/03/micah-parsons-blasts-bart-scott-tee-higgins-take/)** > > Bart Scott spewed insensitivity towards Tee Higgins regarding the Damar Hamlin ordeal, and Micah Parsons wasn't having any of it and proceeded to blast the... Higgins was a receiver and Hamlin tackled him. Trying to blame him is insane and disgusting. And Higgins reached out to Hamlin’s family, and has given his support, and Hamlin’s family even called on people to stop blaming Higgins. Some people are so stupid. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/217 "2023-01-06T18:55:37Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Higgins was a receiver and Hamlin tackled him. Odd, isn’t it, when the dominant football safety trope in this situation is about protecting the receiver, not the tackler. (Of course, in fact, the receiver in this case was not defenseless and nothing in the play looked particularly hard-hitting; everything looked clean and relatively safe.) But yes, brainless blamemongers and clickbait trolls are hard to ignore. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/218 "2023-01-06T19:28:45Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Higgins was a receiver and Hamlin tackled him. Trying to blame him is insane and disgusting. And Higgins reached out to Hamlin’s family, and has given his support, and Hamlin’s family even called on people to stop blaming Higgins. Tackling technique is crucial. A player can hurt themselves very badly. The most famouus case is Nick Buoniconti’s son. He had a habit of ducking his head on tackles. He tweaked his neck in a couple games. He was permanently paralyzed in the next game. His high school coaches should have seen the problem and corrected it. Or even benched the kid until his tackling technique improved. Hamilin is a pro and technique shouldn’t be a problem for him. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/219 "2023-01-06T19:53:26Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Tee Higgins, who Hamlin collided with, has received criticism and even death threats, with another sports media “shock jock” trying to call him responsible. The real question - was Tee Higgins vaccinated? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/220 "2023-01-06T20:31:09Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > … was Tee Higgins vaccinated? I’m so glad this story has progressed to where we can joke about it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560.md?page=12)