After his cardiac arrest, the whole football world was worried about Damar Hamlin. While the safety was fighting for his life, the NFL was also discussing a continuation of the game, according to a report. But the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals did not play along with that.

A normal NFL game was out of the question after Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the turf and fought for his life from then on. Yes, there was nothing else to think about in those minutes and hours just over a week ago but the condition of the young Buffalo Bills safety, who has fortunately improved considerably in the meantime.

Neither for the 24-year-old’s teammates. Nor for the Cincinnati Bengals, the hosts on that fateful Monday night. Or for the fans at Paycor Stadium or on the sofa at home.

Nor for the NFL, which was apparently overwhelmed by the dramatic situation. At least, that’s what an “ESPN” report suggests, according to which the two clubs had to drive the league to abandon the game, which was initially only suspended.

Hamlin collapse: Bills and Bengals wouldn’t play on no matter what

There were chaotic scenes inside the stadium. There, head coaches Sean McDermott and Zac Taylor, referee Shawn Smith and several team officials and staff would have stood with Dawn Aponte, as NFL Chief Football Administrator on site. They would have taken turns speaking to NFL officials at headquarters via Aponte’s phone.

The league had not been able to come to a final decision at that point, an hour after Hamlin’s collapse. For the Bills and Bengals, on the other hand, it was already clear that they would not play another second that night.

Praise for NFL officials on the scene: “She stuck it out “

“The Lord himself could have come down and we wouldn’t have played on,” a high-ranking official from one of the two teams reportedly told “ESPN.” At the same time, the unnamed person came to Aponte’s defence: “She was pressured. She didn’t get the consistent and direct message she deserved.”

The source from one of the teams praised the lawyer who, among other things, ensures the smooth running of the Games: “Whatever crazy nonsense was thrown at her – she stood it. She has stood it strong. “

Hamlin drama: “Bills and Bengals called off game “

Criticism, however, was levelled at the NFL’s command centre, where Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent was in charge. According to the team official, the option of continuing the game after the interruption was kept open for an hour.

So the decision to abandon the game was not made from above, but from below. “It wasn’t de league that called the game off. The Bills and the Bengals called the game off,” the “ESPN” source points out.

Criticism of NFL approach: “Confusing and nonsensical “

And further, “After the ambulance left the field, it was clear to everyone that we couldn’t play anymore.” But Aponte said he spoke nonstop with NFL executives in New York as well as coaches and officials on the ground. “All the chaos was caused by the command centre,” the quoted team official scolds.

According to “ESPN”, two people familiar with the events had even reported that there had been an idea to have the Bills stay overnight in Cincinnati. “For us, it felt confusing and nonsensical rather than pressure,” the team official is quoted as saying. “For us, there was nothing to discuss. We would have gone even if they had told us, ‘If you leave now, you give up the game.'”

“ESPN” versus NFL: Was there a plan to continue the game or not?

When asked by the US broadcaster, an NFL spokesman said the league had no further comment on the matter. Officially, it had said it was never part of the deliberations to continue the game that night.

Interestingly, “ESPN” had even reported on its “Monday Night Football” programme that the teams would resume play after a five-minute warm-up. According to the article, the network had received first-hand reports from multiple sources that a rules expert from the NFL command centre had relayed the relevant plan to a referee expert working in the “ESPN” broadcast booth.

Only Commissioner Goodell can cancel game due to special circumstances

Vincent had later denied several times that the league had argued for a continuation of play. However, according to NFL regulations, only Commissioner Roger Goodell can cancel a game due to special circumstances. This is what the league boss claims to have done after discussions with the teams and the players’ union NFLPA, as he announced the following day.

The cancellation of the game only became official 66 minutes after Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. Meanwhile, it is also clear that the game will not be made up. At the time of the incident, the score was 7-3 in favour of the Bengals.