NFL Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin in critical condition after collapsing on field

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was in critical condition after being given CPR and taken from the field in an ambulance during Monday’s NFL game against Cincinnati Bengals.

The 24-year-old briefly got to his feet after making a tackle on the Bengals’ Tee Higgins with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter but then fell on his back.

The game was halted as medical staff quickly attended to him while players from both teams took a knee.

As Hamlin was taken to the hospital at 9:25pm local time, players from both teams went to their dressing rooms, some with tears in their eyes.

“Tonight’s Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell 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.

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

An ambulance was on the field four minutes after Hamlin collapsed.Hamlin’s uniform was cut off and he appeared to be getting CPR from medical personnel. ESPN reported on its telecast that he was also given oxygen.

When Hamlin was taken off the field 16 minutes after he collapsed, his team gathered in prayer. He was driven to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“No one’s been through this,” longtime NFL quarterback Troy Aikman said on the ESPN telecast. “I’ve never seen anything like it, either.”

The game was suspended soon after and players walked off the field slowly and into their locker rooms.

Reuters, Associated Press and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report