Daily Herald opinion: NFL players, Highland Park wounded remind us of what's really important

This editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board

A player falling to the turf and staying there for a length of time, injured. It's not too unusual to see that when watching a football game on TV. But when Damar Hamlin did it last Monday night, pretty quickly it became clear that this was different.

Even as those of us watching the "Monday Night Football" broadcast felt it, we perhaps couldn't even say right away why it was different. In hindsight, we know the clues. Usually the injured player is writhing in pain, and the trainers quickly examine the injured body part. More often than not, they're able to get the player back on his feet and off the field, or carted off. In the worst cases, we see his head and neck braced and his body stabilized. Maybe he gives a thumbs-up. The crowd applauds and teammates give him a pat.

Hamlin lay motionless. Soon we heard that responders were performing CPR over several minutes.

If you've had the misfortune of witnessing someone suddenly die or nearly die, you know this frightening and helpless feeling. The young players on both teams were experiencing it. As the NFL officials deliberated over whether to postpone the game, there was no way the players could continue. Even these men full of bravado, who play a violent game where a hard tackle is a matter of pride, knew it was just a game; life and family are more important.

And they saw another reminder that life can change in an instant. Hamlin's collapse happened to occur near the six-month anniversary of the July 4 parade shooting that killed seven and wounded dozens in Highland Park.

"It felt like forever, but it was only about four minutes," said Liz Turnipseed, who was struck in the pelvis. "I thought I was going to die there surrounded by bodies." Turnipseed was one of a few of the wounded who bravely talked to us for an update last week. It struck us that they were keenly aware that the shooting will have a long-term effect on them, as well as their loved ones and kids. They remarkably show a sense of what they have to do.

"You can't live your life completely controlled by fear," Liz Turnipseed said. "I just want to get back to regular stuff."

Lauren Bennett was shot twice, and her mother and mother-in-law also were shot. She has begun advocating for stricter gun control measures, even testifying in the state House, but she's also thinking about herself and her parenting.

"I need to be able to ride my bike alongside them to school, and play with them," she said. But also: "What's really hard for me is I don't want to be scared anymore. I don't want my kids to be scared. It's something that's going to take a lot of work."

We're glad the Buffalo Bills and other players have taken their time working through their feelings. And we salute those in Highland Park as they acknowledge both physical and mental wounds. Hamlin's collapse and the shooting, as well as the Palatine Brown's Chicken tragedy we're remembering today, are unfortunate reminders to concentrate on what's really important.