AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:44 p.m. EST

Family of Bills’ Hamlin thankful for outpouring of support

Damar Hamlin’s family is expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support shown toward the Buffalo Bills safety while asking everyone to keep the hospitalized player in their prayers. The 24-year-old Hamlin remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital a day after the Bills said his heart stopped while making a tackle in the opening quarter of a game against the Bengals. Medical staff restored his heartbeat during frantic moments on the field before he was loaded into an ambulance. Hamlin’s family says in a message posted on Twitter that it’s deeply moved by the kind words and donations from around the country, and that the generosity and compassion shown has meant the world to them.

Bills’ Hamlin in critical condition after collapse on field

CINCINNATI (AP) — Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. Hamlin collapsed on the field during the first quarter of the nationally televised game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was given medical treatment for nearly 20 minutes before being taken to a hospital. The Bills said in a statement: “Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”

EXPLAINER: What happened to Damar Hamlin?

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during Monday night’s game, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game against the Cincinnati Bengals that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience. The 24-year-old Hamlin was administered CPR on the field, ESPN reported during the broadcast. Teammates surrounded Hamlin, shielding him from public view. Many were weeping and praying while Hamlin was treated on the field by team and independent medical personnel and local paramedics. He was taken by ambulance to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Teammate Stefon Diggs later went to visit Hamlin at the hospital while fans of both teams gathered outside.

Fans give millions to Damar Hamlin’s toy drive for kids

Damar Hamlin’s goal was simple: He wanted to raise $2,500 online to buy toys for needy kids. It took about two years. Then came Monday, when the Buffalo Bills safety was critically injured and needed his heart restarted on the field in a chilling scene during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He instantly became one of the biggest stories in sports, and thousands of people found his GoFundMe page. The result: Roughly $3.7 million donated in the first 12 hours. And the number is climbing.

Pelé’s coffin arrives at cemetery in city he made famous

SANTOS, Brazil (AP) — Pelé’s coffin has arrived at his final resting place as millions of fans in Brazil and around the world mourn the sports legend. Newly inaugurated President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid his respects at Vila Belmiro, the stadium where Pelé played for most of his career. Pelé is being buried in the city where he grew up, became famous, and helped make into a global capital of his sport. Mass was held at the Vila Belmiro stadium before the casket is ushered through the streets of Santos. A notable absentee was Jair Bolsonaro, whose term as president ended Dec. 31. A day before, he departed capital Brasilia on a flight to Florida. Bolsonaro is staying in a condominium complex outside Orlando and has been filmed speaking to neighbors.

Mitchell’s masterpiece: Cavs star scores 71 points in win

In a season where big numbers have become the norm, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell put up the biggest numbers of all Monday night. And he matched the second highest-scoring game the NBA has seen in nearly 45 years. He finished with 71 points, tying for eighth-most in league history, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Chicago Bulls 145-134 in overtime. The only other players to score at least 71 in a game are Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor.

Analysis: The Suns are on the brink, and not in a good way

Only 18 months ago, the Phoenix Suns were on the brink. They held a 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. They were two wins away from the parade. Chris Paul was finally going to get his ring. Suns in Four was not just a stadium chant but a very real possibility. The Suns are on the brink again now. A very different brink. A team that lost 18 games in the entirety of the 2021-22 regular season lost its 18th game of this regular season on Monday, a 102-83 embarrassment at Madison Square Garden to the New York Knicks. It’s all going wrong in a hurry for the Suns.

Analysis: Jerry Rosburg is one call Broncos GM got right

DENVER (AP) — In a season where just about everything backfired on George Paton one call the Denver Broncos’ general manager made that did work out was the one he made to bring Jerry Rosburg out of retirement in Florida. Rosburg initially joined the Broncos to help Nathaniel Hackett better manage games. He was elevated to interim head coach last week after Hackett was fired following a 4-11 start. Rosburg brought back discipline and accountability to the foundering franchise even though it didn’t make a difference on the scoreboard at Kansas City. Rosburg says he’s playing seeds he hopes will blossom in 2023.

College football adds broader swath of international players

New Zealand sprinter Eddie Osei-Nketia is giving college football a try. He holds his country’s 100-meter record and has some rugby experience. Now he’s signed to play for Hawaii and is among a group of international recruits who will suit up on campuses across the United States. Schools are still looking to Europe: Alabama signed offensive lineman Olaus Alinen of Finland and Michigan plucked defensive end Aymeric Koumba directly from France. But the international base has broadened, too. There’s New Zealand’s Osei-Nketia and Senegal’s Mamadou Cissokho. Florida State, Virginia Tech, Oregon State and Colorado also signed international recruits this cycle.

Cristiano Ronaldo presented by Al Nassr after Saudi transfer

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has been presented as Al Nassr’s superstar new signing. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to play in the Saudi Pro League in one of the most surprising transfers in the sport’s history. Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d’Or awards for the best soccer player in the world and five Champions League titles, will play outside of Europe for the first time in his storied career.