# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/261 "2023-04-18T16:50:15Z")
> **[Damar Hamlin is cleared to play football, 4 months after his on-field cardiac...](https://www.npr.org/2023/04/18/1170655547/damar-hamlin-cleared-football-activity)** > > The general manager of the Buffalo Bills said Tuesday that Hamlin is back to working out with the team. It's the next step in his remarkable recovery after collapsing on the field in January. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/262 "2023-04-18T16:58:58Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Once that ends, then what? Many are unprepared. They could have invested that $3M and it could set them up well through their lives, but they aren’t being taught that. IIRC, starting in the 2008 season, the NFL began requiring all rookies to attend a pre-Draft personal-finance seminar to prevent such problems. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/263 "2023-04-18T18:02:31Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > IIRC, starting in the 2008 season, the NFL began requiring all rookies to attend a pre-Draft personal-finance seminar to prevent such problems. As I understand it, while this is true, it doesn’t mean that many rookies still aren’t going through their earnings like water. Getting back to Hamlin, and today’s news: I’m happy to see that he appears to be completely recovered from his injury. Obviously, we can’t know what’s in his head, if he’s interested in returning to play, or if he’ll be able to compete without being distracted or tentative due to what had happened to him. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/264 "2023-04-19T02:30:58Z")
I hope he has regained all his strength and can pick up where he left off. But WOW. It just feels like a weight over his head. Was it a freak accident that triggered it or is he susceptible. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/265 "2023-04-21T15:33:49Z")
A couple of days ago Hamlin did confirm it was a case of commotio cordis. The vast majority of such cases have no underlying cardiac issues. It’s just a freak thing that can happen, mostly to athletes. It’s still extremely rare even among athletes. > **[What is commotio cordis, which NFL player Damar Hamlin says stopped his heart?](https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/04/18/what-is-commotio-cordis-which-nfl-player-damar-hamlin-says-stopped-his-heart)** > > Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin says commotio cordis caused his "Monday Night Football" collapse. Here's an explanation of the rare, heart-stopping condition. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/266 "2023-04-21T16:17:56Z")
Imagine being the first guy on the other team who has to hit Hamlin hard. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/267 "2023-04-22T00:24:34Z")
Could you imagine if anyone hurt him? Even something like a sprained ankle done inadvertently. Football is a violent sport and stuff happens. People will vilify that guy, even if he did nothing wrong. I’m not saying Damar shouldn’t play (on the contrary I think it’s awesome if he does), but people love him, and that’s probably going to be a factor. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/268 "2023-04-24T03:37:22Z")
Seems like a good time to introduce a padded chest shield into the NFL. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2023, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/269 "2023-04-24T04:20:32Z")
Because in the entire history of the NFL there was one freak injury where the person made a complete recovery in a matter of months? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/270 "2023-04-24T10:39:45Z")
Guess it wasn’t the vaccine then. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2023, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/271 "2023-04-25T07:06:24Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Guess it wasn’t the vaccine then. That’s what they want you to think. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/272 "2023-04-26T01:31:33Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Because in the entire history of the NFL there was one freak injury where the person made a complete recovery in a matter of months? Yes it’s a freak accident in the NFL but not in sports. They already have safety requirements for their equipment. Next round they add a bit of padding. It’s not rocket science nor would it add any significant cost to new uniforms. ---
**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:** [April 26, 2023, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/273 "2023-04-26T03:22:49Z")
Would it add weight? Would it restrict mobility? Would it cause discomfort? Would it restrict breathing? Would it even actually prevent that particular injury? ---
**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:** [April 26, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/274 "2023-04-26T03:49:16Z")
Have you ever seen shoulder pads? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/275 "2023-04-27T01:48:49Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Would it add weight? Would it restrict mobility? Would it cause discomfort? Would it restrict breathing? Would it even actually prevent that particular injury? Yes, if you wanted it to. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/276 "2023-08-13T01:52:04Z")
> **[Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin makes impact in first game since cardiac arrest](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/12/damar-hamlin-return-preseason-buffalo-bills)** > > Damar Hamlin reached another major milestone in his return to football by suiting up for Buffalo’s preseason opener against the Colts on Saturday This surprises me. I thought he would never recover 100%. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/277 "2023-11-06T14:28:04Z")
Thoughtful of him: [https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/05/sport/damar-hamlin-cincinnati-scholarships-spt/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/05/sport/damar-hamlin-cincinnati-scholarships-spt/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/278 "2023-11-06T15:11:09Z")
That was really nice of him. I saw him at the game against Cincinnati and wondered how he was doing. He’s been cleared to play. He’s been to at least 1 practice and is on the play roster. It sounds like it’s gong to take some time to get back in the game both physically and metaphorically. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/279 "2023-11-06T15:33:54Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > That was really nice of him. I saw him at the game against Cincinnati and wondered how he was doing. He’s been cleared to play. He’s been to at least 1 practice and is on the play roster. It sounds like it’s gong to take some time to get back in the game both physically and metaphorically. He’s played in all preseason games and he was active for one game this season. The truth is he’s a marginal player. He wasn’t a star. He’s 5th in a position that has 4 active players on the roster. He’s on the 53 man roster but only 46 can dress for the game. This is only his 3rdseason so maybe he will continue to improve. Good for him using his new fame to do good things. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560/280 "2023-11-06T16:35:18Z")
Thanks, I didn’t realize he played in preseason games. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-now-cleared-to-play-football/977560.md?page=15)