Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow expressed his conflicted feelings about playing the upcoming game in light of Damar Hamlin’s recent medical emergency. Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, experienced a cardiac arrest during Monday’s game against the Bengals, a traumatic event that deeply affected both teams and led to the game’s suspension.
As the sports world anxiously awaits further updates on Hamlin’s health, the NFL has scheduled the Bengals’ game against the Baltimore Ravens for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Cincinnati. Burrow acknowledged that the team has not collectively discussed their comfort with playing this weekend.
“There have been some individual conversations about it, but as a team, we haven’t reached a consensus. We do have a game scheduled for Sunday,” he told reporters.
Hamlin’s condition remains critical but stable, with his team reporting signs of improvement on Wednesday. He was resuscitated on the field before being transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he continues to receive intensive care.
The cause of his cardiac arrest is still unknown, and the hospital has not released additional information or facilitated interviews with medical staff.
Burrow, who witnessed Hamlin’s collapse firsthand, noted the team’s mixed feelings about playing their next game. “We haven’t been officially asked about our preference, but if you surveyed the locker room, opinions would vary.
Personally, I think returning to normalcy as soon as possible is important for me,” Burrow shared. “However, everyone processes these events differently.”
The Bengals have been preparing for the upcoming match against the Ravens, but Burrow admitted that the recent events have created a somber atmosphere. “It’s a difficult, emotional period for all of us,” he said.
“Despite the circumstances, we have a job to do on Sunday. We need to perform and aim for victory. We’ve discussed what happened and our path forward as a team, and that’s where we stand now.”
Burrow’s comments reflect the team’s struggle to balance professional obligations with the emotional impact of Hamlin’s ordeal, highlighting the human side of professional sports in the face of unexpected tragedy.