Former NFL player Ryan Clark tearfully opened up to ESPN “SportsCenter” host Scott Van Pelt about Damar Hamlin’s terrifying collapse on the field Monday night.
“I think the first thing — this is about Damar Hamlin,” Clark told Van Pelt after the incident. “It’s about a young man at 24 years old that was living his dream. That a few hours ago was getting ready to play the biggest game of his NFL career and there was probably nowhere else in the world he wanted to be, and now he fights for his life.”
Hamlin collapsed on the field during the Bills vs. Bengals game after suffering a cardiac arrest. Once his heart beat was restored on the field, he was transferred to UC Medical Center where he was sedated and remains in critical condition, per the Buffalo Bills. (RELATED: NFL Suspends ‘Monday Night Football’ Mid-Game, Players In Tears After Defensive Back Suffers Cardiac Arrest)
“These guys are putting their lives on the line to live out their dreams. Tonight, Damar Hamlin’s dream turned into a nightmare for not only himself but his family and his entire team.” – Ryan Clark on ESPN
Video: @SportsCenter
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 3, 2023
“Tonight, we got to see a side of football that is extremely ugly — a side of football that no one ever wants to see or wants to admit exists,” Clark continued.
Clark spoke from experience. In 2007, the former safety suffered a medical emergency while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. During a game in Denver, he was taken to the hospital after experiencing sharp pains in his side. The problem turned out to be a splenic infarction due to a sickle cell trait he was diagnosed with in childhood that was exacerbated by the high-altitude of the Broncos’ stadium, Fox News reported.
The former NFL player pleaded with fans to understand that players are human beings and to reflect on the fact that they aren’t just football players who make a lot of money, but sons and brothers who risk their lives to live their dream.
“Tonight Damar Hamlin’s dream became a nightmare for not only himself, but his family and his entire team,” Clark concluded.