A message on the Petersen Events Center video board during Tuesday night’s Pitt-Virginia basketball game summed up the way Damar Hamlin’s alma mater feels about him.
“Damar, we love you. We are praying for you. Pittsburgh’s always had your back. And now it’s obvious the entire country has your back, too,” the message read.
And now, seemingly, the entire country wants a Damar Hamlin No. 3 Buffalo Bills jersey on its back.
In the wake of Hamlin suffering a life threatening injury in Monday night’s football game with the Cincinnati Bengals, online sales of Hamlin’s jersey are on a rapid rise. It’s now the most popular NFL jersey on Fanatics.com, an online sports apparel store, the company announced.
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin has declared that the company is donating all the money from Hamlin’s jersey sales to his Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive, designed to benefit a daycare center in McKees Rocks Hamlin’s mother Nina helps run. The donations also support Hamlin’s back to school drive and kids camps.
Fans are showing an incredible outpouring of love and support for Damar Hamlin in buying his jersey. @Fanatics, along with the @NFL and @NFLPA, are donating all proceeds from his jersey sales to the Chasing M’s Foundation. Please get well soon Damar???????? https://t.co/bhdblEq2vf
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) January 3, 2023
Hamlin’s original goal was to raise $2,500 but as of Wednesday afternoon the amount from donors was over $6.5 million.
Hamlin, a former Central Catholic and Pitt star, suffered cardiac arrest during the first quarter Monday night after colliding with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and taking a blow to the area directly over the heart.
Hamlin stood up and then collapsed. He was administered CPR on the field, ESPN reported. In all, Hamlin received medical treatment for 20 minutes on the field.
Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored, and he was taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he was in critical condition and sedated, according to a statement from the Bills.
The game was suspended and will not be resumed this week, the NFL said Tuesday.
