Buffalo's Hamlin: Quick action saved a life

Immediate help by NFL medical crews resuscitate a player after freak injury

Troy Kleese has seen a lot of injuries on the football field as one of the state’s most respected Certified Athletic Trainers. But what he saw Monday shook him.

As Kleese and his wife Pam watched the Buffalo Bills play the Cincinnati Bengals in a televised Monday Night Football game last week, he watched — along with millions of other viewers — as Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin made a tackle, rose to his feet, then tumbled to the turf.

Kleese knew something was horribly wrong as the medical professionals for both teams worked desperately to try to save Hamlin’s life. Kleese paused and reflected.

“I had a flashback with that moment,” Kleese said.

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Hamlin has made a remarkable recovery over the course of a week. He’s regained consciousness and speech.

Yet he benefited from the outstanding emergency care available from NFL teams.

Iowa high school and lower level football programs can’t match that medical staffing on the sidelines.

Kleese recalled when he had to deliver emergency care in a truly frightening situation.

“I spent 25 years on the sidelines, and I had one episode when a middle school football player stopped breathing,” Kleese said.

A small defensive back took a big hit from a “monster” running back, he said.

Kleese hovered over the player, who shut his eyes and stopped breathing.

There was no ambulance at the game.

“It was me, by myself,” Kleese said.

Suddenly, the player started breathing on his own, crying and screaming.

“That’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard,” Kleese said.