MNF: Bills vs. Bengals *game suspended* - prayers for Damar Hamlin

[Davidson Deac II]

1 minute ago, Ja Rhule said:

We probably won’t get any updates until tomorrow.  They have to monitor and evaluate him.

If we get it quickly, it's probably bad news.  

[SmokinwithWilly]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Totally agree.

It's bad enough that I believe Goodell should step down over this.

If owners want to save face at all or show any support for the players and coaches, they fire him immediately. 

[Sgt Schultz]

I'm old enough to remember Chuck Hughes, a WR of the Lions, collapsing in 1971 (had to look up the season and his position, I was 10 years old at the time).  He died of heart failure, essentially a heart attack.  According to what I read, he is the only NFL player to die during a game.  I sincerely hope that remains true a few days from now.

The last death I remember in a professional sports game was when umpire John McSherry collapsed and died on opening day in Cincinnati in 1996.  The umpires had the good sense to cancel that game, and I don't think the players were going to take the field, anyway. 

If anyone thinks Roger Goodell is bad, read Marge Schott's (then owner of the Reds) comments after that.  Her and Bayless must share DNA somehow.

I'll wait to hear an explanation of what all happened between Hamlin's collapse and the game finally being called off.  If the reports of the NFL's response prove to be true, Goodell has to go.

Geez, I know this is redundant, but my thoughts are with Damar Hamlin and his family. 

[4Corners]

Just now, mav1234 said:

Unless there's something behind the scenes we don't know about, then yes, he should.

Oh he is gonna release the best statement money can buy, probably deflecting all responsibility and blaming league protocol. 

[mav1234]

Just now, SmokinwithWilly said:

If owners want to save face at all or show any support for the players and coaches, they fire him immediately. 

We know how owners view their players already, don't expect them to turn on Goodell over something like player safety.  If this causes the firestorm many of us think it might, well...

[Brooklyn 3.0]

4 minutes ago, Cullenator said:

The NFL is going to be raked over the fuging coals if they cant provide a minute by minute breakdown of this decision and the process to get there

 

We all know why they took so long, and it's not because it was some new situation they'd never been in. It's Vegas.

You can't even fathom how much money is tied up in Vegas gambling and the sports betting apps ... and the people and organizations involved in daily betting. I am not siding at all with the NFL mind you, and they will never say that gambling was the reason ... but it was the reason.

Sponsors, ratings, etc. are second to all of that too. The NFL is a greedy business but even they aren't as powerful as sports betting is. Just think about this, other than the somewhat meaningless Playoff spots for Buffalo, Cincy, and KC to settle ... the NFL could EASILY just cancel this game. But there is wayyyyyyyyyy too much money tied up in this one game which is why it will more than likely be played tomorrow or Wednesday. Seriously, Vegas is way too powerful. We're talking millions of other peoples dollars that were on the line tonight.

[jopie87]

24 hours-ish ago I was pissed about the result of a sporting event that is played for entertainment purposes. Wins, losses, stats, none of it matters. I just want Hamlin to be okay. Real life makes everything else that happens between the lines inconsequential. 

[OneBadCat]

3 minutes ago, stirs said:

I remember 40 yrs ago when players were waaay more padded, and slower, but the game was still great.  Of course, they didn't understand concussions then, just say you "had your bell rang"

Just sayin

40 years ago you also had more natural athletes.

The whole system needs to be changed. The meat grinder of the NFL and college/high school ball creates these freak athletes. I always chuckle when a player smashes another and the other guy gets knocked out of the game. Then they say post game they say they weren't trying to hurt them. And maybe the intentionality wasn't there, but what exactly do you expect to happen when blast a dude in the head at 20mph?

[ncfan]

 

[RJK]

The NFL wants us to know he’s okay the second they know. That long without oxygen is bad obviously and fans at the hospital is disgusting 

[Davidson Deac II]

Interesting comment about fans showing up at the hospital.  I commend the interest, but given what is normally going on at hospitals, I hope they know enough to stay out of the way of the people doing their job.  

[stirs]

1 minute ago, OneBadCat said:

40 years ago you also had more natural athletes.

The whole system needs to be changed. The meat grinder of the NFL and college/high school ball creates these freak athletes. I always chuckle when a player smashes another and the other guy gets knocked out of the game. Then they say post game they say they weren't trying to hurt them. And maybe the intentionality wasn't there, but what exactly do you expect to happen when blast a dude in the head at 20mph?

Point was that they were running a bit slower.

Speed is what is important to the NFL now.  4.4 is all that matters

[Brooklyn 3.0]

3 minutes ago, OneBadCat said:

40 years ago you also had more natural athletes.

The whole system needs to be changed. The meat grinder of the NFL and college/high school ball creates these freak athletes. I always chuckle when a player smashes another and the other guy gets knocked out of the game. Then they say post game they say they weren't trying to hurt them. And maybe the intentionality wasn't there, but what exactly do you expect to happen when blast a dude in the head at 20mph?

And the fans need to change too. Blood thirsty fans just waiting to yell BOOM when someone gets popped.

[Cullenator]

I have to believe the whole warm-up for 5 minutes thing is just SOP for an injury timeout of more than X minutes and the refs were just "following orders".

 

I just cant let myself believe that ANYONE would pick up the phone in these circumstances and say "Get them back on the field!"