After Damar Hamlin collapsed during a game, the 24-year-old’s family released an initial statement Tuesday night.

Cologne – After US professional football player Damar Hamlin collapsed during his Buffalo Bills’ NFL game with the Cincinnati Bengals, the 24-year-old’s family released an initial statement on Tuesday night. “Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will post updates as we have them,” the statement read on social media.

“On behalf of our family, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” the relatives further wrote.

The family is “deeply touched” by the prayers, kind words and donations. The family also thanked the first responders and medical staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. They also thanked the Bengals and their coach Zach Taylor, who, like his counterpart Sean McDermott, had worked to ensure that the game was not continued.

Hamlin, who plays the defensive safety position, had collided with an opponent in the first quarter of the game. After initially being able to get up, he collapsed on the field and after about half an hour of treatment was taken to a nearby hospital and placed in an induced coma.

The match was initially suspended for an hour before being abandoned completely. Hamlin’s condition was described as critical by the NFL after the game.