Wisconsin reacts to Hamlin injury

 

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin professional athletes are reacting to the play that sent Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin to the hospital in critical condition.

Milwaukee Bucks rookie AJ Green says what happened to Hamlin made him realize how blessed he is to be a pro athlete.

"It kind of makes you take a step back and realize that you never know when it might be that last time on the court so try to make the most of it and use the platform we have for the right cause, and spread the right image," Green said.

Veteran Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers agrees and said on his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that he was shaken up by Hamlin's on-field collapse.

"We are the modern-day gladiators we are providing entertainment for the masses and doing something we love but we are also putting our bodies and our future health on the line," he said.

Rodgers says he supported the decision to suspend the game, and hopes athletes get the time they need before they come back to the field.

"I think there needs to be a conversation around it. You don't just gloss it over like, 'on to Sunday Night Football play-in game for the playoffs.' Let's just take a time out here, let's remember what's really important," Rodgers said.

Jon Greenberg, President of the Milwaukee Admirals, says a lot of tough decisions by NFL had to be made behind the scenes Monday night.

"I actually applaud the NFL for how they handled it," he said.

Greenberg says every professional league accounts for a medical emergency on the field of play, or in the stands.

"We have ambulances at all of our games, we have medical staff there, our doctors positioned in the stands who can react quickly to any type of medical emergency," he said.

Greenberg says teams across the country watched how the NFL reacted on Monday night and will study how it handles the crisis moving forward.

"We will certainly study what is going on here with the NFL and this situation and learn from it, and hope that we never have to put any plans in place," Greenberg said.