Fans gather outside of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, late Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati, where Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin was taken after collapsing on the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (Jeff Dean, AP)
NFL stars Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson are listed among the top contributors to an online fundraiser set up by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin that’s received more than $6 million in donations.
Stafford is said to have donated $12,000, while contributions by Brady and by Wilson and wife Ciara are listed at $10,000, according to the GoFundMe page.
Originally created in 2020 with the goal of raising $2,500 for a toy drive, Hamlin’s fund-raiser received a massive surge in donations after he suffered cardiac arrest during Monday night’s game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.
In their latest update Tuesday afternoon, the Bills said Hamlin remained in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Family friend Jordon Rooney said Hamlin showed signs of progress overnight, according to an ESPN report Wednesday.
“We’re praying for Damar and his family this morning in Tampa,” Brady tweeted Tuesday. “Moments like this put into perspective what it means to play this game we love. Thankful for our communities in Cincinnati and Buffalo for the overwhelming level of care and support I know they’ll continue to provide.”
Other top donors listed on Hamlin’s GoFundMe page include the New England Patriots and owner Robert Craft at $18,003, the Houston Texans at $10,003 and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams and his wife, Devanne, at $5,000.
“Damar created The Chasing M’s Foundation to use as a vehicle to bring lasting impact to his community,” Hamlin’s representatives wrote in an update on the GoFundMe page.
“The foundation supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids camps, and more. We’re hopeful about Damar’s future involvement in disbursing the incredibly generous contributions.”
Monday’s game was postponed following the scary moment, which occurred with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter after Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. The game won’t resume this week, and the NFL hasn’t said whether it will ever be completed.
The Bills drafted Hamlin in 2021 out of Pittsburgh. He’s in his second season with the team.
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Originally published at Tribune News Service