The tragic events of Monday Night Football sent shockwaves through the NFL world. As a result, fans, coaches, and players came together to show love and support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest after he collapsed during the first quarter of the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hamlin's heartbeat had to be restored on the field and he remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center; where he is sedated and on a ventilator.

On days like today, football is rendered insignificant by the humbling realization of mortality. It's important to remember that these athletes, who are often put on a pedestal in today’s society, risk their safety for both their competitive spirit and the entertainment of others. They are also forced to endure the criticism -fair or unfair- that comes with it.

When things like this occur, it’s important to empathize with and humanize the people wearing the uniform.

In other words: some things are bigger than football.

That was the message from the Tennessee Titans locker room today, as players and coaches commented on Monday’s events.

In all, the heavy-hearted Titans came together in support of Damar Hamlin.

"[It's] a difficult day for the players, the coaches, the NFL, our fans, and anybody that even knows the NFL," said Mike Vrabel. "We want to, on behalf of the Titans organization, our players, and everybody involved, send our deepest sympathies, concerns, and our prayers to Damar (Hamlin) who by all accounts is fighting his tail off in Cincinnati, to his family who watched that unfold in front of their eyes, to Damar’s football family in Buffalo and Pittsburgh, those teammates. We have one of those guys – Rashad Weaver was a teammate of his. We are doing everything we can just to continue to support him. Our thoughts go out to everybody involved."

"I just commend Zac Taylor and Sean McDermott for their leadership that they showed last night and for the example that they showed. All of the players on both sides, Buffalo and Cincinnati, the way that they supported each other was amazing to see," Vrabel continued.

"…We were all affected differently, but we just send our condolences and really just the respect that we have for everybody involved and wish nothing but the best for Damar [Hamlin]."

For a few of the Titans’ players, this tragic moment hits close to home.

OLB Rashad Weaver is a former teammate of Hamlin from their days at Pitt. Weaver broke down in tears, and understandably had trouble speaking to the media about his friend on Tuesday.

DT Jeffery Simmons relates to the Hamlin family all too well. Simmons lost his little cousin, J.J. Hatcher (son of former NFL defensive end Jason Hatcher), to a heart condition on the football field just a few weeks ago. Simmons said he found out via phone call while the team was on the road in Los Angeles. 

Safety Kevin Byard told the media that the loss of his mother this past off-season made him uniquely familiar with the seriousness of the situation.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," Byard said. "I just dealt with that this off-season. My mom, she went into cardiac arrest, so I understand the seriousness and the critical condition that he is in. I think this is bigger than football. This is about a young man fighting for his life."

Hamlin’s family released a statement Tuesday afternoon thanking the football community for their support and prayers. They will continue to provide updates on his status as soon as they become available.

For now, the Titans will prepare to play their Week 18 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars as originally scheduled.

Image via Albert Cesare / The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK