New England Patriots owner makes Damar Hamlin donation with poignant message

04 January 2023 , 21:12

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Damar Hamlin is still in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest (Image: Kamil Krzaczynski/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots made an extortionate donation to a fundraiser set up by stricken NFL star Damar Hamlin, and had a poignant reason for the amount they donated. Kraft and the Patriots are listed on the GoFundMe page as having sent $18,003.

Hamlin set up the fundraiser in December to raise money to buy toys at Christmastime for underprivileged children in his community. The Bills safety set the target at $2,500 - but the NFL world has helped him blow past that mark since his cardiac arrest horror.

The 24-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and continues to recover in hospital. In light of the tragic medical emergency, a whopping $6.5million has now been pledged for his fundraiser.

Among those to donate were Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady, Davante Adams, the Washington Commanders, Josh McDaniels, Shannon Sharpe, Jason McCourty, Devin McCourty and the Houston Texans.

Patriots owner Kraft is currently the fourth-highest donor to the fundraiser, having sent $18,003. It has now emerged that the billionaire chose that amount for a very significant reason.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Kraft, a man proud of his Jewish faith, chose to donate $18,000 because the number 18 stands for "chai" or "life" in Jewish faith. The $3 at the end was a reference to Hamlin's jersey number.

Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots donated $18,003 to Damar Hamlin's justgiving

The Bills released an update on Hamlin's condition on Wednesday night, confirming he would remain in the intensive care unit. NFL fans flocked to the University of Cincinnati Hospital to give their support and wait for positive news.

The statement from the Bills read: "Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight. He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him."

Earlier on Wednesday it was claimed by ESPN's senior NFL insider Adam Schefter that there were concerns over his lungs. He said: "[Hamlin] remains in hospital, he was there overnight, he continues to go through tests. He remains in critical condition. His uncle said there are concerns about damage to his lungs, that's what they're doing tests for now."

Daniel Blackham