Tom Brady donates $10,000 to Damar Hamlin's toy drive as NFL star remains in hospital
Stewart Perrie
Featured Image Credit: Zuma Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo. Kirby Lee / Alamy Stock Photo
Tom Brady has been one of hundreds of donations to Damar Hamlin's toy drive since the NFL star suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of a game.
The Buffalo Bills player collapsed to the ground after a routine tackle in the match with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Medical professionals rushed onto the field and performed CPR on the safety player in front of the entire crowd.
He was eventually taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
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Hamlin was hosting a toy drive on GoFundMe and it had less than $3,000 in donations before his tragic medical episode, according to CBS.
In a little more than a day since the accident, nearly $6 million has been pitched by people all over the world.
There have been some big donors so far, with NFL legend Tom Brady giving over $10,000 to the pledge.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara gave the same amount, while wrestler Chris Jericho of the AEW pledged $5,000.
NFL Chief HR Officer Search Jason Hanold has been the biggest donor after forking out $20,000 to the cause.
Robert Kraft and The New England Patriots have also given $18,003.
An update has been posted on the GoFundMe page, with Damar's family writing: "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.
"If you would like to show your support and contribute to Damar’s community initiatives and his current fight, this is the place to do so.
"This is the only current fund that is being used by the Hamlin Family."
The NFL player's family has revealed the athlete had to be resuscitated twice after suffering his cardiac arrest.
Hamlin's uncle, Dorrian Glenn, told CNN: "They resuscitated him on the field before they brought him to the hospital and then they resuscitated him a second time when they got him to the hospital.
"They sedated him just to give a better chance for him to just continue to heal better. We are just taking it day by day. It seems like he's trending upwards in a positive way."
While he remains in a critical condition in hospital, Hamlin's family believes he's now on the mend.
"Right now they’ve got him on a ventilator," Dorrian explained to CNN.
"They are trying to get him to breathe on his own. He is still in ICU and sedated while they continue to administer medical treatment.
"I am thankful for the staff that have been working with him."