Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin came under fire from NFL fans Thursday night for his reaction to a 31-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins, which saw Tua Tagovailoa suffer another scary concussion.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback took a huge hit at the end of the third quarter by Hamlin, who himself suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in January 2023.
Tagovailoa was running past the first-down line when met Hamlin in the open field and led with his head instead of sliding. The signal caller went down after the collision, slamming his head on the Hard Rock turf.
Tagovailoa appeared to go straight into the fencing response, before cameras quickly cut away from the incident.
The Bills went on to seal the Week 2 win over their AFC East rivals, which Hamlin celebrated along with his own return to the field on social media.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin came under fire from NFL fans Thursday for celebrating
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion following a tackle by Hamlin
‘Feels good to be balling again,’ the safety posted in response to a video of him hyping up the traveling Bills Mafia following the game.
However, some NFL fans online deemed the gesture ‘inconsiderate’ after Tagovailoa’s scary exit from the game.
‘Might have even ended Tuas playing career,’ one social media user wrote. ‘Not a bad tackle by you at all just unfortunate. You guys look pretty solid through the first couple weeks.’
‘I am very happy that you have recovered. However, your post seems inconsiderate at this time,’ another added.
‘I realize Tua did not slide as recommended and caused the significant impact with you. IMO it’s more appropriate to give thoughts to Tua and his family for his health and recovery.’
However, others were harsher with one saying, ‘Bro you balled a concussion,’ while another chimed in with, ‘u ended tuas career how are u happy.’
‘Bro really?? Be remorseful atleast,’ a third shared.
Hamlin did, however, send well-wishes to the signal caller, tweeting: ‘My love and prayers with @Tua fasho.. Sending you strength and healing for a speedy recovery. much love broski.’
Some NFL fans online slammed the Bills safety for celebrating the win with the traveling fans
The scary moment in Thursday night’s Week 2 match-up between the Dolphins and the Bills involved Tagovailoa and Hamlin, two of the most-injured players in the NFL in recent years.
Hamlin collapsed on the field in Cincinnati after tackling Bengals safety Tee Higgins on January 3, 2023.
He required immediate treatment on the turf, where paramedics were able to restore his heartbeat before rushing him to a nearby hospital.
Doctors ultimately determined that Hamlin fell victim to commotio cordis – a rare condition in which cardiac rhythm is disrupted by a blow to the chest.
And, while some fans on social media took issue with his post, most congratulated his return to the field as Buffalo’s starter this season.
Tagovailoa was able to leave the field under his own steam, before returning to the locker room with trainers Thursday night.
Tagovailoa took a hit at the end of the third quarter by Hamlin, who himself suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in January 2023
Within six minutes of him leaving the field, he had been diagnosed with a concussion and it was relayed to broadcasters Amazon Prime that he would not return to the game in the second half.
Tagovailoa has now suffered three known concussions in the NFL, after his 2022 season was cut short by head injuries.
In Week 3 of that year, he was rocked by a huge tackle and went into the fencing response, but later returned to the game.
In Week 4, he exhibited concussion symptoms again after another brutal hit and was stretchered from the field.
Tagovailoa was able to leave the field under his own steam, before returning to the locker room
Later in the season, in Week 16, he suffered yet another concussion, which ended his season, and sparked a change to the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa didn’t miss a game in the 2023 season after bulking up over the summer, but he reported for the most recent preseason with a significantly slimmed-down frame.
Third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson could start for the Dolphins in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, should Tagovailoa be unable to play.
Miami also has Tim Boyle signed to its practice squad but could look to sign another quarterback long term. The team’s 2012 first-round pick Ryan Tannehill is currently a free agent and could be the most viable option.