Tucker Carlson calls medical experts ‘witch doctors’ as right-wing figures spread anti-vaccine misinformation after Damar Hamlin’s collapse
ICYMI: Moments after Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after making a tackle on 2 January, Covid-19 conspiracy theorists and right-wing personalities baselessly blamed his injuries on vaccine side effects.
Anti-vaccine influencers and right-wing media figures have also shared debunked claims about athletes allegedly collapsing after their vaccinations.
Mr Hamlin remains in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to a statement on 3 January from the Bills team. His heartbeat was restored “on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment,” the statement said.
On his programme that night, Fox News personality Tucker Carlson falsely stated that Mr Hamlin endured a “heart attack” and said medical experts who dismissed Covid-19-related conspiracy theories are “lying” and “witch doctors”.
“What we don’t know could fill volumes,” he said. “We don’t know the answer and there is no way to know the answer.”
Tucker Carlson uses NFL player’s collapse to amplify vaccine misinformation
Fox News personality joins other right-wing influencers and conspiracy theorists who blame Buffalo Bills player’s injuries on Covid-19 vaccine
Joe Biden speaks with family of critically injured NFL player Damar Hamlin
Joe Biden says that he has spoken with the parents of stricken Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin who is recovering in hospital following his on-field cardiac arrest earlier this week.
The US president told reporters as he arrived back at the White House from Kentucky that he had spoken with Hamlin’s mother and father “at length” as their son remains in critical condition.
The 24-year-old Buffalo Bills player is being treated at a Cincinnati hospital after he made a hit on a Cincinnati Bengals player and collapsed during the game on Monday night.
Joe Biden speaks with family of critically injured NFL player Damar Hamlin
Buffalo Bills say player has shown ‘signs of improvement’ but remains in critical condition
NFL’s emergency action plan ‘executed to perfection’ after Damar Hamlin collapse
Damar Hamlin’s collapse has prompted a conference call in NFL circles, with NFL insider Ian Rapoport describing it as “emotional”.
The call’s nature included the “preparedness” of each team for situations such as Hamlin’s, the “emergency action plan” was covered, something not made available to the public or seen until Monday’s game between the Bills and Bengals.
Former NFL cornerback and current NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent was noticeably moved on the call, stating: “The emergency action plan was executed to perfection and gave our brother Damar another day to live”.
Damar Hamlin shows ‘signs of improvement’ but remains in critical condition say Buffalo Bills
Injured Damar Hamlin has shown “signs of improvement” after suffering cardiac arrest but remains in critical condition in the hospital, according to the Buffalo Bills.
Hamlin collapsed on the field after making a tackle during the Buffalo Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night and had to be resuscitated before being rushed to hospital.
“Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight. He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him,” the Bills tweeted on Wednesday.
Damar Hamlin shows ‘signs of improvement’ but remains in critical condition
‘He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him,’ NFL team said
Players say Hamlin’s condition is a stark reminder of the dangers of the game
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said Damar Hamlin’s condition is very much in the minds of players and it is a reminder of the risks associated with the game.
He said he went to bed with a “heavy heart” on Monday night and asked his wife to keep a check on updates on Hamlin’s condition.
“It’s been the first thing addressed in each meeting we’ve had today,” Cousins said. “I think that was important. It’s very much on the forefront of people’s minds.”
He added that what happened Monday night is hard to just ignore or shake off.
“I also think we’re professionals; we have a job to do. Every game, you’re aware of the risks, and you still have to go play.
Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said he was on his knees when he heard the news.
“I’ve obviously been praying. I got on my knees, praying and trying to figure out, ‘What can you do?’” Phillips said.
“There’s nothing really to do other than try to reach out to everyone you can and make sure that they know that they’re loved and bring as much support as you can.”
Damar Hamlin ‘moving in a positive direction’
ICYMI: Damar Hamlin’s friend has confirmed the Buffalo Bills safety’s condition is “moving in a positive direction.”
Hamlin is still in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest on the football field following a collision with wide receiver Tee Higgins during Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But Jordon Rooney, a family friend and marketing representative for Hamlin, has provided an encouraging update on his health, while also clarifying earlier reports and information.
Jack Rathborn has the full story:
Damar Hamlin’s family friend gives update on Buffalo Bills star’s condition
Family friend Jordon Rooney has also confirmed that the 24-year-old was only resuscitated once, despite earlier reports he was resuscitated twice
Minnesota Vikings coach says players reminded to seek mental health resources
As Vikings and most NFL teams returned to practice for the first time since Damar Hamlin’s collapse, Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell said he himself sent a message to Viking players addressing the emotional and mental stress.
The former NFL quarterback wrote in the message that he understood how hard it was for them to watch Hamlin’s collapse.
He said he reminded players to seek help for emotional and mental well-being in the message, and in team meetings.
“We just want to be there for them,” O’Connell said. “Their mental health, their emotional health, is very, very important to me and our entire organisation.”
Hamlin’s injury wasn’t Tee Higgins’ fault, players say
NFL players and teammates have put their weight behind Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, saying he did nothing wrong during the play that contributed to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest.
During Monday night’s game, Higgins led with his right shoulder, which hit the defensive back in the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to drag him down. The play appeared routine but Hamlin got to his feet and then collapsed backward.
“There’s nothing you can do about that hit,” quarterback Joe Burrow said Wednesday after the Bengals practiced for the first time since the incident.
“That hit happens on every play of every single game. That’s the scary part about it.”Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons pushed back at former NFL player Bart Scott, who suggested on ESPN that Higgins was partially at fault for lowering his head and “throwing his body” into Hamlin‘s chest after catching a 13-yard pass.
“(A)re we serious?!!? why do we let some people speak on tv?!,” Parsons tweeted in response to Scott’s comments. “This was a freak incident but putting fault on another player is wild!”
Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd was more direct, tweeting in response to Scott: “straight bozo.”
Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader said Hamlin and Higgins were simply “out there playing at full speed.”
“It’s just what happens sometimes, and it’s just such a freak accident,” Reader said. “You can’t take your foot off the gas as a defender or an offensive player out there. If you’re playing lightly, you’re going to take your risk of getting hurt. It’s the only way to play this game. You got to play 100 miles an hour, and that’s how you go about it.”
What is commotio cordis? Traumatic injury that may have led to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest
Damar Hamlin was taken to hospital in critical condition after the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field after a tackle during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The team said in a statement that the 24-year-old had suffered cardiac arrest on Monday night. Mr Hamlin received CPR on the field before he was taken to a hospital.
“When he was hit in that chest anteriorly, as hard as he was, it’s a phenomenon known as commotio cordis. This is when you get traumatic injury to the anterior chest, just as the heart is getting prepared to have another beat,” Dr Anthony Cardillo told CNN.
“It’s during that repolarization phase and the electromechanical activity of the heart … the heart is fuelled by electrical impulse,” Dr Cardillo noted. “If you have trauma at an exact moment, when that heart is getting ready to repolarize and beat again, you will go into cardiac arrest.”
What is commotio cordis? Injury that may have led to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest
Emergency room specialist says trauma likely happened just as heart was about to beat again
Aaron Rodgers says he is shaken after Damar Hamlin’s collapse
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed shock at Damar Hamlin’s collapse on the field on Monday and said giving entertainment to the masses comes at the cost of risk to players’ health.
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers said: “There’s one thread that connects all of us, right?”
“We know we are the modern-day gladiators. We are providing entertainment for the masses and doing something we love, but we’re also putting our bodies and our future health on the line.”
He said the thin line of rivalries between players disappears when something like this happens as all players share a bond.
“Whatever it might be that separates you a little bit, that’s all gone when it’s one of your guys,” Rodgers said.
“Whether you’re currently playing or done playing, you’re shook about this because you don’t think you would see something like this on the field,” Rodgers continued.
“Am I going to have my cognitive function when I’m 50, 60? What kind of risk am I really setting myself up for? This kid’s 24 years old, right? This really, it f***ed me up last night a lot.”
Source: Read Full Article
