Millions watched in stunned horror after football player collapsed

I usually have my posts queued up a couple of weeks in advance, but I’m publishing this impromptu second post today as an ad hoc response to the unusual circumstances connected to last night’s Monday Night Football game.

I am a bit of a sports fan and do follow my favorite teams in several sports. Last night, I was casually watching the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals National Football League game with the intention of going to bed at half-time. The Bengals were ahead 7 to 3 and driving downfield when Bills’ safety, 24YO Damar Hamlin, was involved in a tackle. He subsequently stood up and then collapsed on the ground. I initially thought it was a concussion, but the stand-by ambulance was summoned and the Bills, Bengals, and the 65,000 fans at Paycor Stadium watched in horror as EMTs began CPR on Hamlin, who had gone into cardiac arrest. My wife was shaken and asked that we pray for the young man. The ambulance subsequently transported Hamlin to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, but his status wasn’t announced. Both teams opted not to continue the game after the incident. This morning, I checked the news and Hamlin’s condition is categorized as critical.

I’ve been watching football for 53 years and I’ve never seen a situation where a player was injured and on the brink of death and the game was suspended. This puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? When a person is teetering between life and death, a sports game is trivial in comparison. We all face death. It’s inevitable. The Bible says death is the consequence of man’s sinfulness. Not only is there physical death, but there is also eternal separation from God in hell. But “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16. Jesus Christ, God the Son, came into this world to die for our sins on the cross of Calvary. But Jesus didn’t remain dead. He rose from the grave, defeating both sin and death, and offers the free gift of eternal life and fellowship with God to all those who accept Him as Savior by faith alone. Won’t you trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior today?

Last night, death stared Damar Hamlin and millions of viewers in the face. I pray Damar recovers. Has he accepted Jesus Christ? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior by faith alone? Death is coming. It’s only a matter of when. Accept Christ.

https://www.gotquestions.org/sinners-prayer.html