MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. — The sports world is holding its breath as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin continues to fight for his life after suffering cardiac arrest during Monday’s football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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“I saw it on my TV, everyone standing there praying, you know, the first thing you look for is move your hands and feet and he really wasn’t at that time,” said Terry Totten, the recently-retired football coach at Central Catholic High School, who coached Hamlin and was watching Monday’s game.
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Even after he was drafted by the Bills, the McKees Rocks native never forgot his roots, coming back for youth football camps, mentoring kids who look up to him.
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Hamlin created The Chasing M’s Foundation to support his community, its first event being the 2020 Community Toy Drive.
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With an original goal of $2,500 on GoFundMe, Hamlin said at the time of the page’s creation that “this campaign gives you the opportunity to contribute to our first initiative and positively impact children who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. 100% of the funds raised will go toward the purchase of toys for kids in need.”
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Since Hamlin’s collapse, the fundraiser has reached over $7 million raised, with an updated description stating:
“This fundraiser was initially established to support a toy drive for Damar’s community, sponsored by the Chasing M’s Foundation. However, it has received renewed support in light of Damar’s current battle and we can’t thank all of you enough. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us.
As representatives of Damar, the team at Jaster Athletes posted the fundraiser updates and will work with the Hamlin family, The Chasing M’s Foundation, and the GoFundMe team to ensure the safe delivery of funds.
Damar created The Chasing M’s Foundation to use as a vehicle to bring lasting impact to his community. The foundation supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids camps, and more. We’re hopeful about Damar’s future involvement in disbursing the incredibly generous contributions.
This is the only current fund that is being used by the Hamlin Family. We appreciate your understanding as we give them the time and space they need to focus on Damar’s health first.
Again, thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support during this time.”
Here is a list of some of the top donations to the fundraiser at this time, including donations from prominent names in the sports world:
- Jim Irsay & Indianapolis Colts
- $25,003
- Sheets Laundry Club
- $25,003
- Jason Hanold (Hanold Associates CEO)
- $20,000
- Robert Kraft and The New England Patriots
- $18,000
- Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams quarterback)
- $12,000
- New Era Cap Foundation
- $10,003
- Houston Texans
- $10,003
- Russell & Ciara Wilson (Denver Broncos quarterback, pop singer)
- $10,000
- Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback)
- $10,000
- Prayers from Carpet Man Flooring (Jacksonville business owner Chris Jackson)
- $5,500
- Sauce Gardner (New York Jets cornerback)
- $5,000
- Michael Wagner (former NFL player)
- $5,000
- Mike Evans Family Foundation
- $5,000
- Davante and Devanne Adams (Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver)
- $5,000
- Washington Commanders
- $5,000
- Arash Ferdowsi (Dropbox co-founder)
- $5,000
- Chris Jericho (professional wrestler)
- $5,000
- Chris Jericho (professional wrestler)
- $5,000
- Eric & Lindsay Stonestreet (actor)
- $3,333
- Why Not You Foundation
- $3,333
- Julian Love (New York Giants safety)
- $3,000
- Andy and JJ Dalton (New Orleans Saints quarterback)
- $3,000
- Ryan Leaf (former NFL player)
- $2,500
- Giveback XP (Cincinnati travel agency)
- $2,500
- Shannon Sharpe (former NFL player, current ESPN analyst)
- $2,500
- Wink & Laura Martindale (NY Giants defensive coordinator)
- $2,500
- Josh McDaniels (Las Vegas Raiders head coach)
- $2,500
- Paul Maguire (former NFL player)
- $2,500
- Michael Phelps (former Olympic swimmer)
- $2,000
- Drake London (Atlanta Falcons wide receiver)
- $2,000
- Jason McCourty (former NFL player)
- $2,000
- Devin McCourty (New England Patriots safety)
- $2,000
- Barrett Solar (Kansas City solar energy company)
- $1,500
- Landon and Haleigh Young (New Orleans Saints offensive tackle)
- $1,100
- Mike Fisher (former NHL player)
- $1,003
- Adam Schefter (ESPN NFL insider)
- $1,003
- Steel City NIL Club
- $1,003
- Mekhi Becton (New York Jets offensive tackle)
- $1,000
- Marc Morial (former mayor of New Orleans)
- $1,000
- Clayton Fejedelem (Miami Dolphins safety)
- $1,000
If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, click here.
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