Praying for Damar Hamlin

By Eric Goska 

Damar Hamlin

 “Dad! Come here!”

The call came with some urgency.

I left my second-floor office and headed to the first-floor family room at the opposite end of our home.

My wife and daughter were watching Monday Night Football. Rather than game action, an ambulance dominated the television screen.

I’ve never met Damar Hamlin. If I saw him play, he was just another talented athlete on the field.

But in that moment, my heart went out to the Bills safety who had collapsed after tackling Tee Higgins.

I, like countless others, prayed for Damar. I, like so many others, felt completely helpless.

I told my wife and daughter I never wanted something like this to happen again. And as I held my breath in stunned silence, my mind turned to Chuck Hughes and Reggie Brown.

Chuck Hughes was a backup receiver for the Detroit Lions. He collapsed and died in a game against the Bears in 1971.

I was young and not yet a football fan on that fateful day. But years later, after having read accounts of what happened, I was left numb.

Reggie Brown was another Lion. He stayed down after making a tackle in the 1997 regular-season finale against the Jets.

As with Damar, Reggie was given CPR on the field. As with Damar, I feared for Reggie’s life.

Having interviewed dozens of retired players over the years, I can tell you this: what they miss most is their former teammates. They miss the camaraderie. They miss taking to the field with a common goal.

Accolades are fine. Trophies are shiny. Stats can be entertaining.

But the sense I get is that many of these former players would be willing to set all that aside to experience again playing with their brothers in a game they so love.

As so, like many of you, Damar remains at the forefront of my thoughts. I pray for his complete recovery.

For me, the sight of him back on his feet would be the most joyous outcome of this season.