'This Is The Kind of World to Live In': NFL Fans Donate Millions to Support Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Amid Hospitalization Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest Monday night in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Getty Images

In the first quarter of last night's Monday Night Football game on ESPN, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed live on television, leaving viewers, teammates, and players from the opposing team, the Cincinnati Bengals, beside themselves in shock and terror.

Hamlin was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and the game was postponed.

On Tuesday morning, the Buffalo Bills organization said Hamlin was in critical condition.

"Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in the Buffalo Bills' game versus the Cincinnati Bengals," the organization said in a statement. "His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition."

Hamlin's family also provided an update on his condition via social media.

Thousands of people around the world offered prayers and hope on social media before a fundraiser that Hamlin started years ago began making the rounds. By Tuesday morning, the fundraiser had garnered an incredible $3,737,200 with over 143,200 donors.

Hamlin started a GoFundMe in 2020 for his nonprofit, The Chasing M's foundation, with an attainable goal of $2,500 to purchase toys for children in his hometown community of Stowe Township, Pennsylvania.

"As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me," Hamlin wrote on the fundraising page two years ago. "Thank you so much for supporting me on and off the field. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with you to help make the holiday season a little brighter for the kids in our community."

Hamlin proudly wears number 3 on the field, leaving many to make their donations in multiples of three, with one anonymous donor giving the initiative $3,333.

Another six individual donations were made of $5,000 or more.

Hamlin, a four-star recruit from the University of Pittsburgh, was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Fans, family, and teammates continue to wait for updates on Hamlin's health.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

This Couple Started a Side Hustle to Improve a 'Terribly Made' Bathroom Essential. Now the Business Earns More Than $3 Million a Year.

Michael Fine and Lisa Schulner-Fine launched lifestyle brand Quiet Town in 2016 and have been growing it ever since.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

What's Open on Easter Sunday? Costco and Target Will Close, But One Major Retailer Will Be Open. Here's What To Know.

The stock market was closed for Good Friday on April 18. Here's what's closed for Easter Sunday, April 20.

Science & Technology

Your Clients Are Using AI to Replace You — Do These 3 Things Before They Do

Harness these three steps to audit, evolve and future-proof your offer before AI replaces you.

Marketing

The One Mistake Is Putting Your Brand Reputation at Risk — and Most Startups Still Make It

Many businesses pour resources into branding and marketing but overlook PR — yet it's PR that builds the trust, credibility, and reputation that turn attention into lasting revenue in a crowded market.

Leadership

Here's What It Takes to Evolve From Hands-On Founder to Strategic CEO

Making the leap from founder to CEO requires more than just growth — it demands a shift in mindset.