Sports

(CINCINNATI) — Doctors told family members Wednesday morning that Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s condition is moving in a “positive direction” after collapsing two days ago from cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Hamlin family spokesperson Jordon Rooney.

Rooney told ABC News he could not qualify or elaborate on what “positive direction” meant, but said doctors are seeing the progress they are looking for.

Hamlin, 24, remains hospitalized in critical condition in the intensive care unit at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The second-year safety from the University of Pittsburgh collapsed during the Monday Night Football game against the Bengals after making a tackle in the first quarter.

The game was halted and then suspended indefinitely after doctors provided CPR to resuscitate Hamlin on the field before taking him to the hospital. There has been no decision yet on whether the game will be continued at a later date, the NFL said.

In an interview with ABC News, Rooney also clarified statements made by Hamlin’s uncle, Dorrian Glenn, who said Tuesday that Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice — on the field and at the hospital. Rooney said that was a misunderstanding and that Hamlin was not resuscitated more than once.

Responding to reports that the defibrillator used on Hamlin malfunctioned, Rooney said those reports were incorrect and that all of the medical equipment worked properly.

Hamlin’s family thanked the “dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals” at the hospital for their “exceptional care” in a statement released Tuesday.

Buffalo Bills players returned to their practice facility on Wednesday, but said they would not be meeting with media.

The New England Patriots, who are still scheduled to face Buffalo in Sunday’s final game of the season, said in a statement both teams had been given an extra day before meeting with the media “due to these unique circumstances.”

The Pro Football Hall of Fame also announced Tuesday night it would be delaying its announcement of the 15 finalists for this year’s class out of respect to Hamlin.

ABC News’ Mark Osborne contributed to this report.

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(NEW YORK) — In the hours after Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field Monday night, thousands of concerned fans showed their support via an online fundraiser created by the young NFL star previously, which has now gone viral and surpassed $6 million in donations.

Hamlin, 24, collapsed Monday evening moments after tackling wide receiver Tee Higgins during the first quarter of the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals. First responders administered CPR to Hamlin on-field before he was placed in an ambulance on oxygen and driven out of the stadium to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Concerned fans tracked the developments in real time, with many flocking to Hamlin’s 2020 GoFundMe campaign for “The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive” to lend support.

The GoFundMe saw a resurgence in donations with more than $6 million raised, as of early Wednesday morning.

A spokesperson for the platform confirmed to ABC News’ Good Morning America on Tuesday that Hamlin’s 2020 fundraiser “is verified.”

“We’re grateful for the kindness, generosity, and empathy our giving community shows every day, especially in moments like these. The fundraiser has raised more than $4 million since last night,” the GoFundMe spokesperson said.

Hamlin’s family posted an update to the initial fundraiser, writing that it “was initially established to support a toy drive for Damar’s community” and now “it has received renewed support in light of Damar’s current battle and we can’t thank all of you enough. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us.”

Prior to Monday evening, Hamlin’s fundraising campaign aimed at helping buy toys for kids in need, hardest hit by the pandemic, had raised $2,921.

“As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me,” he wrote in the campaign’s initial post on GoFundMe. “I created The Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact, and the first program is the 2020 Community Toy Drive.”

The NFL issued a statement in the wake of Monday’s incident, stating that Hamlin “received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics” following his collapse, and that he was “transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.”

“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bill. We will provide more information as it becomes available,” the statement read.

Monday night’s game was officially postponed around 10 p.m. ET.

The league added that it had been in “constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”

Hamlin’s family also issued a statement on Tuesday morning, thanking the first responders and medical staff who assisted him, as well as the fans for their support.

“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” the statement read. “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words and donations from fans around the country.”

“We also want to acknowledge the dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar,” the statement continued. “We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organization and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach Taylor and the Bengals for everything they’ve done.”

The statement concluded, “Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us. Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them.”

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(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Oklahoma City 150, Boston 117
Milwaukee 123, Washington 113
Sacramento 117, Utah 115

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ottawa 4, Columbus 0
NY Rangers 5, Carolina 3
Florida 5, Arizona 3
St. Louis 6, Toronto 5 (SO)
Buffalo 5, Washington 4 (OT)
Winnipeg 3, Calgary 2
Nashville 6, Montreal 3
Tampa Bay 4, Chicago 1
Seattle 5, Edmonton 2
Los Angeles 3, Dallas 2
NY Islanders 6, Vancouver 2

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Kansas 75, Texas Tech 72
Tennessee 87, Mississippi St. 53
Wisconsin 63, Minnesota 60
Kansas St. 116, Texas 103
Alabama 84, Mississippi 62
Pittsburgh 68, Virginia 65
Fresno St. 71, New Mexico 67

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(CINCINNATI) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition after he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed Monday night after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Bengals in Cincinnati, team officials said Tuesday.

Hamlin, 24, remains hospitalized in critical condition in the intensive care unit, Buffalo Bills officials said Tuesday afternoon.

“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals,” the team said in an earlier statement. “His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”

The game was postponed and will not be resumed this week, the NFL said Tuesday. No decision has been made about continuing at a later date, the league said.

The NFL issued a statement earlier, saying, “Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition. Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

“The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game,” the league added.

Hamlin was down for at least 15 minutes. Paramedics were seen administering CPR as players from both teams gathered around at midfield, some openly weeping.

Hamlin was taken off the field in an ambulance, and both teams went back to their locker rooms minutes later.

The safety was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Hamlin’s family thanked the “dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals” at the hospital for their “exceptional care” in a statement released Tuesday.

“Please keep Damar in your prayers,” the family said, while promising to release updates “as soon as we have them.”

Jordon Rooney, a spokesperson for Hamlin’s family, told “Good Morning America” that the football player is a “fighter” and that his family is in “good spirits.”

“We’re obviously just taking it minute by minute, hour by hour,” Rooney said.

Following the incident, the Buffalo Bills tweeted a photo of the team on the field on one knee.

“The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar,” the team said.

Several NFL teams also tweeted that they were sending their prayers to Hamlin, his family and the Bills.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted, “Praying hard.. please be okay man.”

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt tweeted: “The game is not important. Damar Hamlin’s life is important. Please be ok. Please.”

Bengals owner Mike Brown called the medical response “extraordinary” and said that both teams “demonstrated respect and compassion.”

Monday night “was supposed to be a great night for the NFL and a great showcase for our hometown. Instead, the human side of our sport became paramount … and in that moment, humanity and love rose to the forefront,” Brown said in a statement.

“The entire City of Cincinnati is sending all of our prayers to Damar Hamlin right now. Our hearts are with you, your family and your friends,” the mayor of Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval, wrote.

In the time since Hamlin collapsed on the field, a toy drive on GoFundMe he organized in 2020 saw donations pouring in — topping more than $1.5 million as of late Monday night, with an initial goal of $2,500. ABC has verified with GoFundMe officials that the page was originally started by Hamlin.

Fans also gathered outside the hospital following the incident to show their support.

“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” his family said in its statement. “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.”

“Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us,” the statement continued.

This is a developing story. Please check back up for updates.

ABC News’ Will Reeve, Luke Barr and Keith Harden contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(CINCINNATI) — Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed Monday night after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Bengals in Cincinnati, and the game has been postponed, team officials said.

Hamlin, 24, is currently hospitalized in critical condition, Buffalo Bills officials said in a statement posted on Twitter.

“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals,” the statement said. “His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”

The National Football League issued a statement earlier, saying, “Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition. Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.”

“The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game,” the league added.

Hamlin was down for at least 15 minutes. Paramedics were seen administering CPR as players from both teams gathered around at midfield, some openly weeping.

Hamlin was taken off the field in an ambulance, and both teams have gone back to their locker rooms.

The safety was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar,” the team tweeted.

Several NFL teams also tweeted that they were sending their prayers to Hamlin, his family and the Bills.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted, “Praying hard.. please be okay man.”

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt tweeted: “The game is not important. Damar Hamlin’s life is important. Please be ok. Please.”

“The entire City of Cincinnati is sending all of our prayers to Damar Hamlin right now. Our hearts are with you, your family and your friends,” the mayor of Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval, wrote.

In the time since Hamlin collapsed on the field, a toy drive on GoFundMe he organized in 2020 saw donations pouring in — topping more than $1.5 million as of late Monday night, with an initial goal of $2,500. ABC has verified with GoFundMe officials that the page was originally started by Hamlin.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
New York 102, Phoenix 83
Philadelphia 120, New Orleans 111
LA Lakers 121, Charlotte 115
Indiana 122, Toronto 114
Brooklyn 139, San Antonio 103
Cleveland 145, Chicago 134 (OT)
Minnesota 124, Denver 111
Dallas 111, Houston 106
Golden State 143, Atlanta 141 (OT)
Portland 135, Detroit 106
Miami 110, LA Clippers 100

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Boston 2, Pittsburgh 1
Vegas 3, Colorado 2
Philadelphia 4, Anaheim 0

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Cincinnati 7, Buffalo 3 (Suspended)

TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Penn St. 35, Utah 21
Tulane 46, Southern Cal 45
Mississippi St. 19, Illinois 10
LSU 63, Purdue 7

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Rutgers 65, Purdue 64

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(CINCINNATI, Ohio) — Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin collapsed Monday night after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Bengals in Cincinnati, and the game has been postponed.

Hamlin, 24, is currently hospitalized in critical condition, the National Football League said in a statement.

“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition,” the NFL said. “Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

“The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game,” the league added.

Hamlin was down for at least 15 minutes. Paramedics were seen administering CPR as players from both teams gathered around at midfield, some openly weeping.

Hamlin was taken off the field in an ambulance, and both teams have gone back to their locker rooms.

The safety was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar,” the team tweeted.

Several NFL teams also tweeted that they were sending their prayers to Hamlin, his family and the Bills.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted, “Praying hard.. please be okay man.”

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt tweeted: “The game is not important. Damar Hamlin’s life is important. Please be ok. Please.”

“The entire City of Cincinnati is sending all of our prayers to Damar Hamlin right now. Our hearts are with you, your family and your friends,” the mayor of Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval, wrote.

In the time since Hamlin collapsed on the field, a toy drive on GoFundMe he organized in 2020 saw donations pouring in — topping more than $1.5 million as of late Monday night, with an initial goal of $2,500. ABC has verified with GoFundMe officials that the page was originally started by Hamlin.

This is a developing story. Please check back up for updates.

ABC News’ Will Reeve and Luke Barr contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — Pro rally driver Ken Block died in a snowmobile accident in Utah Monday.

The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call about an accident in the Mill Hollow area at about 2 p.m. local time.

“The driver, Kenneth Block, [a] 55-year-old male out of Park City, Utah, was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended, landing on top of him. He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement posted to Facebook.

“Mr. Block was riding with a group but was alone when the accident occurred,” it added.

Law enforcement from the sheriff’s office, Search and Rescue, Utah State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the scene.

“We are saddened to hear of the loss of Kenneth and our hearts are with his family and friends so deeply affected,” the sheriff’s office added.

“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed,” Hoonigan Industries, the auto media and apparel company Block co-founded, wrote on Instagram.

Block has 1.92 million followers on YouTube and his Gymkhana videos — car-driving stunt videos — regularly have 50 million views. He was also regularly a competitor at ESPN’s X Games when they sporadically included rally racing.

ABC News’ Marilyn Heck contributed to this report.

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(NEW YORK) — Tennis legend Martina Navratilova announced Monday she is suffering from throat cancer, as well as a recurrence of breast cancer, which she was first diagnosed with in 2010.

“This double whammy is serious but still fixable,” Navratilova said in a statement posted to the WTA site. “I’m hoping for a favorable outcome. It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all have I got.”

Navratilova is one of the winningest tennis players of all time. She holds 18 grand slam singles titles as well as 31 grand slam doubles titles and 11 grand slam mixed doubles titles. She was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000.

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(NEW YORK) — Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, a three-time World Cup champion who’s largely considered to be one of the best players ever, has died. He was 82 years old.

His daughter, Kely, confirmed his death on social media.

“All that we are is thanks to you,” she wrote. “We love you forever. Rest in peace.”

Brazil has planned 48 hours of national mourning. Pele is expected to be buried in Santos, southeast of Sao Paulo, where he played club soccer from 1956 to 1974.

Pelé had been in and out of the hospital over the past year as he fought colon cancer. In November, Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo announced that his cancer had advanced and that he was in palliative care.

Albert Einstein Hospital confirmed Pelé died at 3:27 p.m. local time from multiple organ failure as a result of colon cancer.

The soccer star, whose real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was hospitalized in December 2021 shortly after undergoing chemotherapy to treat a reported colon tumor. He had posted on Instagram that he was recovering.

Over the past year, Pelé had dismissed fears over his health and continued to thank fans for their support.

“Dear friends, it’s been a while since we talked about this. I want to let you know that I’m fine. I feel better every day. I don’t think even the mask for my protection can hide my happiness. Thank you very much to all of you who send me good energy daily,” he wrote in a November 2021 post on Instagram.

Named FIFA co-Player of the Century in 1999 along with Diego Maradona of Argentina, Pelé spent his retirement as a global ambassador for the sport and devoted to other humanitarian causes. In 2020, when Maradona died, Pelé remarked, “One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky.”

Pelé was born on Oct. 23, 1940, in the town of Tres Coracoes in the southern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. His parents named him after U.S. inventor Thomas Edison. Pelé’s father, João Ramos do Nascimento, nicknamed Dondinho, was also a professional soccer player.

The young Edson received the nickname Pelé in school when schoolmates mocked his pronunciation of the popular Brazilian goalkeeper Bilé, he explained in a 2016 column for The Players’ Tribune.

He began playing at 13 with a youth team in Bauru. He was scouted by the Brazilian club Santos at 15 and began playing professionally with the team.

At just 17, he emerged as a superstar with his performance during Brazil’s victorious 1958 World Cup, and he played his entire career in Brazil with Santos.

Pelé won two additional World Cup titles — in 1962 and 1970 — before ending his storied career with the New York Cosmos in 1977.

His last game on Oct. 1, 1977, an exhibition game between the Cosmos and Santos, was played before a sellout crowd at Giants Stadium. The game was televised on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports.”

He later starred in John Huston’s 1981 World War II sports film “Escape to Victory” alongside Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine.

A biopic about his life, “Pele: Birth of a Legend,” was released in 2016.

Pelé is largely credited for sparking interest in the game in the United States during the 1970s, a legacy that lives on to this day.

He is survived by wife Marcia Aoki, as well as seven children: Brazilian soccer coach and former player Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, better known as Edinho; daughter Sandra Regina Machado Arantes do Nascimento; soccer player Joshua Nascimento; son Celeste Arantes do Nascimento; and three other daughters, Kely Cristina Nascimento, Flávia Christina Kurtz Nascimento and Jennifer Nascimento.

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