Commentator faces calls to be sacked over controversial Damar Hamlin tweet
Topics: NFL, Sport, Social Media, Twitter, US News
Rachel Lang
Featured Image Credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy. UPI / Alamy
Topics: NFL, Sport, Social Media, Twitter, US News
Sports commentator Skip Bayless has been slammed for posting a controversial tweet in the wake of Damar Hamlin's medical emergency.
The Buffalo Bills safety player is in a critical condition after collapsing during a primetime game following what looked to be a routine tackle.
The game was paused while emergency services did CPR on the NFL player and people were forced to watch on as the situation seemed to go from bad to worse.
Bayless wrote on Twitter: "No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game - but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome ... which suddenly seems so irrelevant."
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Football fans gave him an utter flaying on Twitter for his remarks.
No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game - but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome ... which suddenly seems so irrelevant.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 3, 2023
One social media user said: "You should be fired and ostracized for the rest of your life for this tweet."
A second added: "You should be fired!!! You’re a sick person."
Bayless’ tweet also copped immediate backlash from NFL players Sauce Gardner and Dez Bryant, who slammed the host on social media.
Gardner tweeted: “Are you seriously talking about when the football game should be postponed, Damar Hamlin’s health is ALL that matters at the moment! Nothing else!!!”
Bryant posted: "WE NEED TO CANCEL @RealSkipBayless ASAP!"
Bryant added in another tweet: “[F**K] YOU SKIP BAYLESS."
ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins tweeted at the Fox commentator: "You’re a sick individual. Real Talk.”
Are you seriously talking about when the football game should be postponed? Damar Hamlin’s health is ALL that matters at the moment! Nothing else!!! https://t.co/LNlbJLx1pY
— SAUCE (@iamSauceGardner) January 3, 2023
WE NEED TO CANCEL @RealSkipBayless ASAP!!!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 3, 2023
The DAMN GAME NEEDS TO BE CANCELED.. what’s the Debate?… ATHLETES ARE HUMANS FIRST! IF YOU EVER NEED A REMINDER IM HERE TO TELL YOU
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 3, 2023
Bayliss has since apologised for his tweet, adding that the meaning had been misconstrued.
He wrote: "Nothing is more important than that young man's health. That was the point of my last tweet. I'm sorry if that was misunderstood but his health is all that matters. Again, everything else is irrelevant. I prayed for him and will continue to."
The Twitter pile-on comes after the 24-year-old was treated on the field for more than 30 minutes after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The 2021 NFL draft pick was then taken to a local hospital and the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals was suspended.
He is currently sedated and in a critical condition at The University of Cincinnati Medical Center, ESPN reports.
The on-field emergency has led to an outpouring of well-wishes for Hamlin and as a sign of their support, people are donating Hamlin’s GoFundMe fundraising page for a toy drive charity.
It didn’t take long for other donations to start pouring in and the page has now surpassed its USD$2,500 (AUD$3,708, £2,085) goal with an incredible total of USD$4,514,060 (AUD$6,695,380, £3,766,471) at the time of writing.
You can donate to Hamlin's GoFundMe here.