The NFL has urged its franchises to join special actions in Week 18 in support of Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest during the previous week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and is now on the road to recovery.

The NFL sent a memo to its franchises ahead of the upcoming final game day of the regular season to hold Week 18 games in honour of Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during the previous week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and is since on the road to recovery.

To mark the occasion, the NFL encouraged its teams to demonstrate league-wide support for the Buffalo player and suggested participating in community efforts that franchises can join at their discretion.

“ESPN” pundit Adam Schefter shared an image of the league’s letter in question via Twitter, calling out the games to close the regular season as a “tribute to Demar Hamlin. “

NFL: Franchises to demonstrate league-wide solidarity with Damar Hamlin

Specifically, the NFL called for targeted actions before and during games.

For example, before the obligatory national anthem, home teams are to read an official statement to symbolise their united support for the player, while a special graphic of Hamlin is displayed on the scoreboard

Week 18 will be a tribute to Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin, in a variety of ways: pic.twitter.com/Qa3cVfB7tm

– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2023

The statement reads as follows: “This week, the entire NFL family has been praying for Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills to continue his recovery. We thank the first responders and medical professionals involved in his treatment.”

He continued, “They ask that you join us in a moment of support and love for Damar and cheer him on as well as his family as they continue their fight. “

NFL: Teams to stand in solidarity with Damar Hamlin in Week 18

In addition, the NFL called for both home and away teams to color the number 3 on their respective 30-yard lines in Buffalo Bills red or blue.

Additionally, all teams and players will have the opportunity to wear black Nike T-shirts with the words “Love for Damar 3” during warm-ups. The Bills will wear a version of the warm-up shirt in the team’s own royal blue.

We’ll be wearing a special “3” patch on Sunday for our guy @HamlinIsland

There will be a number of tributes for Damar Hamlin across the NFL during Week 18: https://t.co/YhD5s9k2jx pic.twitter.com/SlIviqGriI

– Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 6, 2023

Buffalo’s coaching staff will receive special caps embroidered with the number 3 for the pregame period. In addition, Bills players will wear a large badge with the number three on their jerseys.

Finally, the league pointed out the newly established donation page chasingmsfoundation.com, through which fans, teams and players can donate directly to Damar Hamlin’s foundation for needy children. In the past few days, several million dollars in donations have already been collected in this way.