‘Unbelievable cowardice’: Coaches ‘save the NFL’ amid ‘beyond cruel’ restart call after player’s collapse

The NFL has been blasted after initially attempting to restart the Cincinnati-Buffalo game following Damar Hamlin’s shocking on-field collapse.

Hamlin was taken to a local hospital in critical condition after making a tackle but then falling to the turf in the first quarter of the highly-anticipated game on Monday Night Football.

The contest between two Super Bowl contenders was suspended and in the end postponed – but not after a lengthy delay where the league was reportedly keen to restart it to ensure a result.

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Week 18

Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills and head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals speak during the suspension of their game following the injury of Damar Hamlin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Taylor and McDermott were then seen on the phone, reportedly with NFL higher-ups, before the decision was eventually made an hour later to postpone the match.

The fact the NFL was willing to consider playing the game as such an awful incident was still ongoing became the source of utter anger and frustration around the United States.

“Possible (even likely) that Zac Taylor and Sean McDermott saved the NFL from itself tonight,” ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenburg wrote.

Game called off after horrific incident | 00:39

“Tonight’s Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced,” an NFL statement read.

“Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

“The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”