Last week the Bengals and Bills where in the mist of a game. While both teams had already clinched a spot in the playoffs. This game was important for seeding. Damar Hamlin tackled the Bengals runner. Hamlin got back up and then he collapsed. It was later revealed Hamlin went into cardiac arrest. This game should be a wake up call to not just football but other sports as well.

Hamlin was given CPR for 9 minutes. In addition, both teams used a defibrillator. While it is speculated Hamlin cardiac arrest was the result of a collision. Collision Cardio Arrest is when a person goes into arrest after a hard blow to the chest. The hard blow calls the heart to stop and the person goes into shock. This type of cardiac arrest used to be seen a lot in car accidents. It is now rare due to safety requirements, but it can still happen. Several cardiologists have theorized this is what happened to Hamlin.

This should be a wake up call for people to learn CPR. CPR is likely what prevented a tragedy. Also every team no matter what sport should have a defibrillator on hand. Doctors have also said this is also what kept Hamlin alive. Thankfully, both teams had one. The broadcasters stated not every team has one. If what the broadcasters said is true this should be a wake up call for every athletic team to have one.

It is also possible Hamlin could have had an undetected heart condition. Several athletes have gone into cardiac arrest due to not knowing they had a heart condition. Most physicals deal with an EKG. But as several Cardiologists have stated EKG cannot detect everything. An Echo-cardiogram can detect Afib and Jackob's disease. These are the most common undetected cardio conditions in athletes. The good news is if these conditions are detected early medication and even procedures can help prevent cardiac arrest. In fact, the athlete can often resume their careers.

I agree with the Cardiologists that stated echo-cardiograms should be preformed at every physical. Due to the ability of the cardiogram to detect heart problems.

I have watched football for a long time. However, I have watched baseball a lot longer. There was a tragedy in baseball and another baseball player who avoided a tragedy.

The late Darryl Kile was the ace pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Kile had averaged 18 wins in the past two seasons. During his 3rd season he was on pace to go 18-12. Kile though complained of feeling fatigued. He then complained of chest pain. The Cardinals staff thought the heat was just getting to him. A week later Kile was found dead in his motel room. An Autopsy showed that Kile had undetected Afib and a blockage. Cardiologists have stated had Kile had an cardiogram he could have had surgery, and come back the following year.

Aaron Boone who had been traded from the Reds to Houston. Started feeling tired. The medical team performed an cardiogram. It showed that Boone had Afib and needed open heart surgery. Boone had surgery and played two more years in the big leagues before retiring at the age of 39. Thankfully Boone avoided a tragedy.

No matter if it was a collision cardiac arrest or an undetected heart condition. Hamlin is lucky to be alive and the NFL barely avoided a tragedy. As I have stated due to what happened to Hamlin and other athletes. This should be a wake up call for all teams to get life saving equipment and learn CPR. It should also be a wake up call to start having echo-cardiograms.

you know what, I agree last week I essentially learned that Concussions aren't the only thing could potentially kill you in sports (hell I'm even wondering if there should also be long term studies on a hit like that and if there are any long term effects, I wouldn't be surprised if he was out for the rest of the season though, but man what a miraculous recovery

Incidents like this can never be fully anticipated, and sadly not always can they be fully treated on site. We were lucky this time, but it's just the last of a lot of incidents everywhere in the world relating to the extreme form players are pressured to be in order to perform at the top levels.

It's also sad to say that sometimes athletes themselves disobey the specialists because they want to perform and not lose their job, maybe even the only thing in life they have. There are known cases of athletes withholding critical medical information, which in the end resulted in the worst case scenario. So, once again, the real problem is all the pressure and the physical commitment players are forced to be in to stay at the top.

Athletes, starting from the lowest categories as kids, should be enticed to always state in which condition they're in while tutors and professionals at all levels should encourage them to pursue a different career if their bodies won't allow them to achieve their current dreams, whether or not their lives are at risk. This psychological aspect, this following, is as needed as precise medical knowledge for on-site officials as well as the correct equipment, though this last one requires investing money that maybe not everyone can afford (even though saving a human life is priceless).

Classgame. The season ended yesterday and the playoffs start next week. He has a long road ahead of him. Hopefully he can come back if he wants too. More importantly though he won the game of life. He is a survivor. I'm sure there will be studies done on these types of hit.

Ex Palen excellent points as well. Yes athletes are under a lot of pressure. Yes some are not honest and some do not tell everything. I think these issues will be made aware in the next few months.

When incidents like this happen, it really makes the people who say athlete's get paid "too much" look stupid.

I used to play football and other contact sports back when I was in middle and highschool, and the common thought was that these injuries happen, but it would never happen to yourself. This was an extremely scary incident that happened ON a football field, in absolutely bizarre circumstances. Every day I have enjoyed reading about Hamlin's progress and hearing he has left the hospital was some of the best news to see.

I've been a racing fan for a long time, and while safety has improved a ton, you'll still see wreaks that just look gruesome, and people still do get hurt. I like to look at something like this in the same light, accidents happen, but when the worst one you've seen in many years ends up not taking a young man's life, its a win for everybody.