Courthouse Dome will go red and blue for injured Bills player

‘There’s no question prayers are going up from Orleans County’

ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse dome will be lighted in red and blue beginning this evening in honor of Damar Hamlin, a Buffalo Bills player who was critically injured on Monday night while making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and needed to be revived on the field. The game was stopped in the first quarter and hasn’t resumed.

The Buffalo Bills released a statement today that Hamlin has shown “remarkable improvement.” Hamlin, a 24-year-old in his second season with the Bills, is being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact,” the Bills said in the statement. “His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress. We are grateful for the love and support we have received.”

Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, pushed to have the Courthouse dome lighted in the Bills colors of red and blue. Other landmarks in Western New York and beyond has been lighted in Bills colors to show support for Hamlin.

Johnson is a former season ticket holder for the team. She was watching the game live on Monday when Hamlin was injured in the first quarter.

“It’s basically a call to join us in praying for complete healing for Hamlin,” Johnson said. “There’s no question prayers are going up from Orleans County.”

Johnson said she feels empathy for Hamlin’s parents. Johnson’s son Chase was injured in a workplace accident on June 8 and was on a ventilator in the hospital. He has since made a full recovery, Johnson said.

“It hit home for me because I have seen the seriousness of it,” Johnson said. “I know what it’s like to be by the hospital bed as mother. I’m praying for the Hamlin family.”