The Night 65,000 Football Fans Stopped Cheering
It was January 2nd this year when Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field midway through the first quarter after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins on a seemingly routine play. Maybe, like me, you watched it. Everything seemed to stop in the moment. We were wondering what happened. Information seemed to come so slowly. Did you watch it?
I was in Arizona at Angela’s parents’ home for the holidays and the game was on. Over 23 million people watched. A regular play, and moments later a player is on the ground. Everything stops for around 30 minutes. Care is given to Damar Hamlin who has collapsed. Eventually he is taken away on an ambulance to the nearest trauma hospital. The teams head into their respective locker rooms, and discussion ensues over whether to continue the game or not. We waited…
What was so sobering to watch was the teams as they waited. On the field the teams knelt and prayed. The crowd that night was over 65,000 fans. There was silence… and people praying. Groups praying. Individuals praying. As everyone awaited news of Damar’s condition, there was a deep heaviness upon the stadium and in broadcast booths. Even on ESPN an analyst stopped and led the three commentators in prayer.
Something I find so fascinating is that the game was stopped and didn’t continue. That night some 65,000 fans quietly slipped out of the stadium having not even watched a quarter of the game. Everyone seemed to understand the gravity of what had taken place. And so many – so many – people on the field, in the stands and in the broadcast booths… prayed to God for mercy for Damar.
In a cultural time where life has seemingly so little value. This one moment on January 2nd was a stunning reminder that life… matters. It is the imago dei, image of God. Each and every person, from the point of conception to the last breath, is made in the image of God. And each life matters because God made us all, and He says so. At least this one night we got to see it in real-time. It was the night 65,000 fans stopped cheering… and started praying for one individual soul. A beautiful reminder of the value of each and every person.
Nothing On My Own,
I was in Arizona at Angela’s parents’ home for the holidays and the game was on. Over 23 million people watched. A regular play, and moments later a player is on the ground. Everything stops for around 30 minutes. Care is given to Damar Hamlin who has collapsed. Eventually he is taken away on an ambulance to the nearest trauma hospital. The teams head into their respective locker rooms, and discussion ensues over whether to continue the game or not. We waited…
What was so sobering to watch was the teams as they waited. On the field the teams knelt and prayed. The crowd that night was over 65,000 fans. There was silence… and people praying. Groups praying. Individuals praying. As everyone awaited news of Damar’s condition, there was a deep heaviness upon the stadium and in broadcast booths. Even on ESPN an analyst stopped and led the three commentators in prayer.
Something I find so fascinating is that the game was stopped and didn’t continue. That night some 65,000 fans quietly slipped out of the stadium having not even watched a quarter of the game. Everyone seemed to understand the gravity of what had taken place. And so many – so many – people on the field, in the stands and in the broadcast booths… prayed to God for mercy for Damar.
In a cultural time where life has seemingly so little value. This one moment on January 2nd was a stunning reminder that life… matters. It is the imago dei, image of God. Each and every person, from the point of conception to the last breath, is made in the image of God. And each life matters because God made us all, and He says so. At least this one night we got to see it in real-time. It was the night 65,000 fans stopped cheering… and started praying for one individual soul. A beautiful reminder of the value of each and every person.
Nothing On My Own,
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