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NFL fans across the country were buzzing with anticipation for perhaps the best game of the regular season, but were met with a horrifying silence after one of the most horrific incidents in league history.<\/p>\n
Buffalo Bills safety Dumar Hamlin is in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during Monday night’s game against the Bengals.<\/p>\n
Hamlin collapsed after making a tackle and had to be given CPR on the field and was ambulanced off the field as players from both teams knelt down in tears and prayed.<\/p>\n
The incident also revealed the only NFL player death on the field that occurred in 1971.<\/p>\n
During a game against the Chicago Bears at Tiger Stadium on October 24, 1971, Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes was in the team’s huddle after a play in which the Lions tied 28\u201323 with 1:02 remaining. was back to<\/p>\n
While running towards the crowd, Hughes collapsed near Chicago’s 20-year line while clutching his chest.<\/p>\n
Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus was where Hughes was and desperately moved for medical personnel to come onto the field from the sidelines.<\/p>\n
Hughes was taken off the field by ambulance, but was pronounced dead at Henry Ford Hospital later that day, aged 28.<\/p>\n
Unlike Monday’s Buffalo-Cincinnati game, which was interrupted and eventually postponed, the Chicago-Detroit game played to the end.<\/p>\n
After his death, it was discovered that Hughes had a family history of heart disease and one of his arteries was 75% clogged.<\/p>\n
The blood clot broke and became trapped in the artery, preventing the heart muscle from receiving blood.<\/p>\n
It turned out to be the last reception of his life and may have been the result of a hit three plays earlier.<\/p>\n
Hughes’ wife Sharon, who was in the ambulance when her husband was taken to the hospital, sued doctors at Henry Ford Hospital in 1972 for failing to properly diagnose a heart condition in a May 1971 test. sued for $21.5 million. before his death.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit was eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.<\/p>\n