Good morning, everyone. Today’s newsletter is going to look a little bit different than it normally does. Last night, Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed after making a tackle during the first quarter of Buffalo’s game against the Bengals. He is currently in critical condition, according to an NFL statement.
The highly anticipated contest between two of the NFL’s top teams was paused as it became clear how severe the situation was and then eventually postponed.
Here is what happened, in chronological order, along with the latest information on Hamlin’s condition:
- Hamlin, 24, got to his feet after making a tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. He then immediately fell backwards, collapsing back onto the field. He received medical attention and was given CPR and oxygen while on the field.
- Hamlin was loaded into an ambulance on the field and, about 30 minutes after suffering the injury, was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center — located about six miles from Paycor Stadium.
- The game was initially suspended temporarily. However, Bills head coach Sean McDermott and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor met on the field, and the teams ended up going to their respective locker rooms.
- Shortly after 10 p.m. — more than an hour after the injury — the game was officially postponed.
- The NFL held a conference call in the wee hours of this morning. Here are the details.
- Overnight, the Bills released a few more details, explaining that Hamlin “suffered a cardiac arrest” after taking the hit and that his “heartbeat was restored on the field.”
It’s unclear how, when or if this game will be resumed or made up, but we will have updates for you on the entire situation here.
News and notes 📝
- USC Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams threw a Cotton Bowl-record five touchdown passes, but Michael Pratt and Tulane lifted the trophy. The Green Wave reeled off 16 straight points over the final 4:07 to beat the Trojans, 46-45. Pratt threw a dart to Alex Bauman with nine seconds remaining for the game-winning score, and the Green Wave, who went 2-10 last season, finished 12-2 this season. The 10-win jump is the largest in FBS history.
- Later Monday, Penn State produced some of its grandest plays ever in the Granddaddy of Them All, using two long touchdowns to pull away from Utah and win the Rose Bowl, 35-21. Nicholas Singleton ripped off an 87-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, and Sean Clifford found KeAndre Lambert-Smith on an 88-yard touchdown pass to open the fourth. It was the longest touchdown pass in program bowl history. In between those two plays, Utah quarterback Cameron Rising suffered a game-ending injury in the Rose Bowl for the second straight season.
- Donovan Mitchell poured in a Cavaliers–record 71 points in a 145-134 overtime win over the Bulls. It’s tied for the eighth-most points ever in an NBA game. Just like Luka Doncic‘s historic performance last week, Mitchell’s top highlight came with his team down three late and him making the first free-throw, purposely missing the second, grabbing the rebound and scoring the game-tying basket. Here are all of the numbers behind Mitchell’s incredible performance.
- Rutgers shocked No. 1 Purdue, 65-64 at Mackey Arena to hand the Boilermakers their first loss of the season. Cam Spencer drilled the game-winning 3-pointer with 13.3 seconds left, and no, you’re not experiencing déjà vu: The Scarlet Knights also handed then-No. 1 Purdue its first loss last year with a late 3-pointer. Rutgers is now 2-11 all-time vs. AP No. 1 teams, and both wins are over Purdue. No. 21 New Mexico is the lone remaining undefeated team in Division I.
- LeBron James scored 43 points in a win over the Hornets and is on pace to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s career scoring record in a month.
- Meanwhile, Klay Thompson put up 54 points against the Hawks — including 10 3-pointers.
- Zion Williamson suffered a hamstring injury and did not return in a loss to the 76ers.
- Just days after his Michigan Wolverines lost to TCU in the largest upset in College Football Playoff history, Jim Harbaugh would take an NFL job if offered one, according to reports.
- The Bruins beat the Penguins, 2-1, in the 2023 Winter Classic at Fenway Park behind a pair of third-period goals from Jake DeBrusk.
- Julius Randle‘s latest great game earned him “MVP” chants from the Madison Square Garden crowd.
What we’re watching Tuesday 📺
🏀 Mississippi State at No. 8 Tennessee, 7 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 Wizards at Bucks, 8 p.m. on NBA TV
🏒 Stars at Kings, 10 p.m. on ESPN
