Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin is examined during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
(AP) — GREEN BAY, WI The teammates of New England Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden couldn’t help but think of Damar Hamlin as he lay on the field nursing a catastrophic injury.
Bolden was helped off the field early in the fourth quarter of New England’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, and the game was cancelled on Saturday night.
The incident occurred more than seven months after Buffalo Bills safety Kirk Hamlin, who made what looked to be a regular tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, slipped into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field.
Following the game, the Patriots said that Bolden was feeling all of his limbs. Late on Saturday night, Patriots spokesperson Stacey James said that Bolden would be kept overnight for observation at a Green Bay hospital. On Sunday morning, the Patriots intend to release an update on Bolden’s condition.
“All we can do is hope,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stated.
Bolden, a seventh-round selection from Jackson State, seemed to bump into teammate Calvin Munson as he tried to block a Packers pass complete to Malik Heath.
According to Mills, “it looks like just one of those collision hits, those freak hits that you see in this league on rare occasions, that you hate to see.”
We were unable to see him very frequently. As of now, we’re simply asking everyone to keep him in their prayers and hope for the best, even though it appeared like he was moving and that his eyes were open.
Both sides came from their respective sidelines and took on the pitch, with some players taking a knee, as medical staff attended to Bolden.
Following Bolden’s carriage off the pitch, the two teams met and agreed not to play the remainder of the game. With 10:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Patriots led 21-17 when the game was paused.
Matthew Slater, a special teams player for the Patriots, stated, “It’s a reminder of the fragility of life.” Though it’s not something we give much thought to, the truth is that everyone who has ever lived on Earth will eventually have to deal with it. This is supposed to be a happy, festive occasion, thus I believe it’s awful that it occurs in this environment and circumstance.
We’re engaged in a game. We are engaged in our passion. People are being entertained by us. People are finding our game to be enjoyable. It serves as a reminder, though, that things can change suddenly.
“As a player, you have to get rid of that thought because you can’t go out there hesitating or afraid, but the truth is that things happen in life and in football in particular all the time.”
Both teams’ players claimed to have been reminded of Hamlin’s injury.
“It evoked that Damar sensation, and that’s extremely unsettling,” stated Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.
That is the sensation. All we can do is hope that he gets better. They said that he was responsive and on the move. His neck was hurting a little bit. It appeared to be head-to-head, as if they were in a pile. Sometimes, you simply never know.
Hamlin’s commotio cordis caused his heart to stop.
Since then, Hamlin has rejoined the Bills. Earlier today, he participated in a game against the Steelers in his native Pittsburgh, recording three tackles.Both teams decided there was no use in carrying on with the game given the parallels.
Slater declared, “This is not the AFC championship.” “Records are not the reason we play. It’s the second preseason game. It impacts many guys in many ways when you have an accident like that. It’s obvious that what transpired shook our crew.
Outside linebacker Kingsley Enagbare of the Packers concurred.
“It was quite startling and one of those moments when you kind of get the chills seeing someone on the football pitch pretty much motionless,” Enagbare remarked
“I guess it’s obviously for the best that the game finished the way it did, but it’s never a good indication. Man, I know I was a little shaken up.
There were players from both teams that knew Bolden.
Since Bolden’s arrival in New England, Slater has described him as “a joy to be around.” Heath knew Bolden from his time as a Jackson State football player, having grown up in Jackson, Mississippi. Mac Jones, the quarterback for the Patriots, claimed to have known Bolden since their high school years.
Jones remarked, “We played football seven-on-seven together.” “That’s for sure one of my brothers.”
They are now looking for another chance to meet him quickly.
Mills stated, “I’m just asking everyone to keep him in their prayers.” “We’re hoping for success.
Late in the second quarter, Patriots wide receiver Tre Nixon exited with a shoulder injury.
Both FB Henry Pearson and Packers S Tarvarius Moore sustained knee injuries. OL Jake Hanson had a shin injury, and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks strained his hamstring
Patriots: Practise together with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday and Wednesday before travelling to Nashville for an exhibition game on Friday.
Packers: On Saturday, they will host the Seattle Seahawks.
