CINCINNATI — A candlelight vigil was held outside UC Medical Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday, exactly 24 hours after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed in cardiac arrest at the field at Paycor Stadium Monday night.
The focus of dozens of fans and supporters who gathered there was on faith and prayer.
One Michigan man who supported Buffalo in the wake of the mass shooting at a Buffalo Tops store in May came to continue supporting the people of Buffalo and Bills Mafia as they rally cries of faith towards Hamlin and his family just inside.
"I can't remember the last time I saw an entire country get down on its knees and start to pray," said Dan Beazley of Michigan. "That's what it's all about right there, this coming together. This community of Cincinnati is wrapping their arms around Buffalo and around Damar and they're loving on him and they're loving on the family, and it's one big family. This is nothing to do with football; it's all about the love of God."
Hamlin remains in critical condition. Earlier Tuesday evening, his aunt and uncle were able to meet with fans outside and share anecdotes of their nephew's condition, specifically that he has been placed on his stomach to relieve pressure on his lungs while he remains on the ventilator as things hopefully continue to stabilize in the coming days.
The next stage of recovery is getting Hamlin to breathe on his own without a ventilator.