‘Pray for Damar’: Public prayer blitz follows Hamlin’s frightening collapse
The intersection of prayer and sports has been especially prominent in the aftermath of Damar Hamlin’s frightening collapse during an NFL game.
All 32 NFL teams have included “Pray for Damar” on their Twitter avatars. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky prayed for the Buffalo Bills’ safety on live TV. Countless fans and other concerned observers said on social media they were praying, and dozens linked arms outside his Cincinnati hospital.
“In commemorating life or death in sport, people say pray, pray, pray a lot,” said Julie Byrne, chair of the Religion Department at Hofstra University. “I don’t think it reaches the pitch that you have here because of the incredibly dramatic circumstances. But it’s a pretty go-to response.”
It was amplified in Hamlin’s case partly because people now can offer instant expressions of prayer or any other reaction on social media. Plus, it was a high-profile “Monday Night Football” game between Hamlin’s Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals with millions watching or getting alerts about the alarming incident on their phones.
Hamlin’s heart stopped after making what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first quarter. The second-year pro went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field.
On Friday, the 24-year-old Hamlin was breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, his agent said. Doctors described Hamlin’s neurological function as “excellent” Saturday.
Players from both teams knelt on the field in prayer, not an uncommon scene in a sport that has seen plenty of scary injuries. Each week after every game, many players from both teams join together in a prayer circle, holding hands and kneeling; 63% of adults in the United States identify as Christians with 45% saying they pray daily, according to the Pew Research Center.
The expression of faith has been carried out very publicly in Hamlin’s case.
“It is new in terms of the scale and the scope,” said Paul Putz, assistant director of the Faith & Sports Institute at Baylor University. “It’s not common to see someone on a national television network who opens in prayer or just issues a prayer during the broadcast. That certainly is something that’s new, but it also does reflect this broader Christian subculture in the NFL.”
Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback, prayed for Hamlin during Tuesday’s “NFL Live” broadcast as his two co-hosts bowed their heads and said “Amen” when he was done.
“If we didn’t believe that prayer (works), we wouldn’t ask this of you, God,” Orlovsky said in the prayer. “I believe in prayer. We believe in prayer. We lift up Damar Hamlin’s name in Your name.”
Afterward, Orlovsky told the AP in a text: “It was on my heart. The more we pray, the more Damar may come out of it.”
Bills coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane both thanked God in separate news conferences.
“I’m a Christian man to begin with and I’m not afraid to say that, and I know when you are trying to do good things or great things, sometimes you come across opposition,” McDermott said when asked about the team’s ability to respond to adversity.
NFL executive Troy Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback during his 15-year career, praised God in an emotional news conference.
“My greatest fear flashed in front of me in the moment but for the goodness and grace of God, Damar is still here,” Vincent told the AP in a text.
The Jaguars and Titans came together at midfield before their showdown for the AFC South title on Saturday night and knelt down in prayer.
On Sunday, the NFL Players Association will share a prayer by Reverend Dr. William J. Barber for Hamlin and the entire NFL community.
“Reverend Barber has been a voice for equality, justice, faith and hope for millions of Americans,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said. “When we connected in the aftermath of the traumatic injury suffered by Damar Hamlin, we were both moved by the unity on display not only by Bills and Bengals players, but by NFL players across our league and everyone in our community. His prayer is in the spirit of that unity and how our membership – also working Americans – brought our nation and our world together in the most challenging moments.”
Jeffrey Scholes, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, said he hasn’t seen such a public outpouring of prayer in any sport.
“Dan Orlovsky breaking out in prayer was just kind of stunning,” said Scholes, who has written several books on religion and sports. “I’ve never seen anything like that. It looked more like the 700 Club than it did ESPN for a bit there.”
He said football has always been more closely tied to faith than other major sports. Plus, it was a big game among two of the top AFC teams and it was far from a standard injury.
“I think that the amount of prayer around this event makes a little more sense in that this event was so rare, disturbing, traumatic for those watching, for the players, for the coaches,” Scholes said. “I think a call for divine intervention via prayer is more expected.”
Chuck Hughes is the only NFL player to die on the field. The 28-year-old Detroit Lions wide receiver suffered a fatal heart attack late in a game against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 24, 1971. Putz said later newspaper accounts wrote of the players praying in their locker rooms.
“We didn’t have the public processing of (Hughes) in real time,” the Baylor professor said. “It wasn’t something millions of people were engaged with at the same time.
In 1971, Chuck Hughes – people were responding with prayer,” he added. “In 2023 when this happens with Hamlin, people responded with prayer again. But now, it’s amplified and scaled up because of the way social media works.”
Putz himself focused on praying and not trying to analyze the overtly prayerful response from a historian’s perspective. Time will tell if it’s a new normal in the social media world.
“I think over time then we’ll come to realize what this signified, what it highlighted about the ongoing connection between religion and sports, which have been going on for a long time,” Putz said.
___
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
‘Pray for Damar’: Public prayer blitz follows Hamlin’s frightening collapse
Recent Comments
Comparing the Humongous Combined Wealth of Latest Business Partners Lewis Hamilton and Rory McIlroy
on
Hallmark’s The Way Home Stars Explain The Balance Between Time Travel And Family Drama In New Series
on
Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on
‘Mission: Impossible’ must emulate Tom Cruise’s $1.4 billion box office haul to replace Ethan Hunt
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
Viral Tiktok Puts Tom Cruise’s Les Grossman In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, And It’s-A F-ing Great
on
Tom Cruise Is Teaming Up With The Revenant Director For His First Movie Post-Mission: Impossible 8
on
Tom Cruise And Nicole Kidman Face The Brunt Of Scathing Comments From Eyes Wide Shut Screenwriter
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on
PGA Show 2023: Best finds, exhibitor list, vendors, floor plan, schedule, dates, more from Orlando
on
Monday Mailbag: What’s next for Sean O’Malley, is Chito Vera impossible to finish, rest of UFC 299
on
LIVALL Showcases Smart Helmets For Cyclists And Commuters At Pepcom Holiday Shopping Preview Event
on
Lake Tahoe officials tackle overtourism with focus on management, not marketing; new fees may loom
on
How my Apple Watch proved the ultimate travel necessity when I spent a week halfway around the world
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
Arsenal highlighted for spending 26 seconds taking corner v Everton – Sky Sports’ tweet backfires
on
Inside Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager’s ‘amazing’ luxury spring break vacations with their families
on
Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on
In
on
If Tom Cruise Ever Gets A Theme Park, Here’s What Movies Should Get Their Own Rides And Attractions
on
‘I Will Immediately Retire From Boxing and Fight Jorge Masvidal…’: Jake Paul Starts 2023 With a Bang
on
How The Other Half Fly: VistaJet Goes To Enviable Lengths To Make Air Travel Better For Your Body
on
Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on
Growing number of sports bras, athletic wear found with high levels of toxic chemical, watchdog says
on
GM Cruise Setbacks And EV Profitability Concerns: Analyst Lowers Expectations for Future Investments
on
Fresno State at Nevada live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
Following Exchange With Caitlin Clark At News Conference, Columnist Won’t Cover Indiana Fever Games
on
Florida lawmakers introduce bills that would criminalize storming fields, courts at sporting events
on
FIU vs. Jacksonville State live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Erdogan to attend Turkey-Netherlands Euro 2024 quarterfinal amid diplomatic row with host Germany
on
East Carolina vs. Tulane basketball game postponed following death of Pirates announcer Jeff Charles
on
EA Sports College Football 25, among most anticipated sports video games in history, hits the market
on
Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
Donovan Mitchell will be extra motivated to carry the Cavaliers, plus other best bets for Tuesday
on
Disney Cruise Line Announces New Fireworks Show and More Details About ‘Silver Anniversary at Sea’
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
Death toll from Ian, storm-caused flooding crosses 50 people; remnants to dissipate over Virginia
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on
Dallas Cowboys Will “Bring You Nothing But Bad Luck”, Sports Media Vet Warns Luka Doncic’s Mavericks
on
Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska
on
Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Tormented”: How Tom Cruise Was Almost Cast In The Shawshank Redemption (& Why He Wasn’t)
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
Comparing the Humongous Combined Wealth of Latest Business Partners Lewis Hamilton and Rory McIlroy
on
Colorado State vs. New Mexico live stream, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
College basketball rankings: Virginia joins preseason Top 25 And 1, ready to contend for ACC title
on
College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on
Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on
“Bro Is Jogging”: Resurfaced Video of Usain Bolt’s 9.84 Seconds Run, Leaves Sports World in Denial
on
Braun Strowman Reportedly Set for WWE Return Abroad on Promotional Tour After 6 Months Out Injured
on
Brad Keselowski Feels NASCAR Could Welcome New Manufacturer Soon Amid Martin Truex Jr’s Engine Tests
on
Boise State vs. Nevada live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on
Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on
Best places to travel in 2023: National Geographic unveils list of top 25 destinations for next year
on
Ask Amy: Should I keep my RSVP simple and just gracefully decline or say I can’t afford the trip?
on
As more abortion bans occur, many patients must travel hundreds of miles for care – or be stranded
on
Air Force vs. Utah State live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
A missile fired by Houthis strikes a US-owned vessel off Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, raising tensions
on
A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
$12M Worth Dawn Staley Sports Pricey Jordans While Witnessing Joel Embiid’s Suffering Against Knicks
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on
How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on
College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
Lamar Jackson: NFC side tipped to be ‘overwhelming’ Super Bowl favourites if they signed Ravens QB
on
ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “Love Cricket At All Levels, I’ll Watch Any Cricket, And Love Going There”
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
Following Exchange With Caitlin Clark At News Conference, Columnist Won’t Cover Indiana Fever Games
on
Inside Out Mini Jawbreaker Puzzle Game from Disney Cruise Line Now Available at Walt Disney World
on
Katherine Paprocka allegedly embezzled nearly $600k from school for family vacations, IVF treatment
on
Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on
Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on
Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on
Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on
Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on
Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on
Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on
Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on
Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
GameFly Sale Offering Nintendo Switch Sports at a Mind-Blowing Price, Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on
The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on
Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on
‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on
Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on
Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on
If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on
How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on
Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on
Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on
‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on
Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on
A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on
Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on