It has been over a week since Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field of play during a game in Cincinnati, and the response from Americans has been nothing short of miraculous.
Donations to Damar’s charity toy drive soared overnight, assistance was offered to his loved ones by individuals and companies alike, and, most remarkably, our divided nation rallied in unison behind a solitary purpose.
We now have the comfort of knowing that Damar is alert and fully conscious, but let us take a moment to highlight the initial response to this near-tragic occurrence.
When the number three on Damar’s jersey was facing the sky because the young man lay flat on his back, unable to move or breathe, the men nearest him gathered around with a swift and singular action — they dropped to their knees in prayer. This wasn’t the act of a mere individual, or even a limited group of players, but rather a collective reaction from all involved.
The next day, Dan Orlovsky of ESPN followed suit and led his production team in devotion on live television. I cannot remember the last time I have seen that — or if I’ve ever seen that. In the week that followed, our entire country joined in and prayed for a young man most of us have never met, or will ever meet.
I have no idea which religion, if any, the players on that field practice, and I am not familiar with their church attendance records. I only know that when those men saw a brother in need, when the situation in question was a matter of life or death, they didn’t hesitate to call upon a higher power. Imagine if we took that approach to prayer, not just in times of desperation, but ceaselessly.
Damar Hamlin is now on the road to recovery, and we must acknowledge the vital proficiency of the medical trainers and a top-tier hospital staff, but let us also emphasize the role played by a nation united in worship.
The paths forward are clear; we can either use this progress to better create cohesive communities, or we can move on with our lives, and fall back into a rut of detestation and division. Only time will tell how we proceed, but this much is certain — rather than falling to our knees in protest, America is better served when we fall to our knees in prayer.
David Cone is a co-host and producer of the Daily Wire’s sports show Crain & Company, as well as a contributor to Morning Wire. David is also a former quarterback for the University of Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @davidadamcone
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.