How will Damar Hamlin's injury impact the future of football?

WAMU 88.5 | By Maya Garg

Published January 5, 2023 at 9:22 AM EST

Buffalo Bills fans attend a candlelight prayer vigil for player Damar Hamlin.

On Monday, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after being tackled in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 24-year-old was administered CPR on the field for almost 10 minutes in a shocking event that played out on live television for a national audience during Monday Night Football. Hamlin remains hospitalized, but a team statement noted “signs of improvement.”

Football is a dangerous sport. Studies have found high rates of concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and a serious brain disorder called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former players.

We’ll discuss whether Damar Hamlin’s injury will change the game of football.

Maya Garg

Orcas are hunting whale sharks, the largest fish species on Earth

Lauren Sommer

A new study reveals how a group of killer whales is able to hunt whale sharks, adding to a growing body of research showing how the whales use intelligence and coordination in impressive ways.
Advocates renew a push for states to enact voting protections

Hansi Lo Wang

With efforts to bolster the federal Voting Rights Act unlikely under Republican control of the new Congress, advocates are refocusing on state protections against racial discrimination in elections.
How crocodiles get their scale patterns (Hint: It's unlike other animals)

Jonathan Lambert

Many animals get their external marking--like, feathers, hair or scales-from genetics. But it turns out, the crocodile gets its head patterns differently.