Denny Kellington - appreciation thread for the hero who saved Damar's life

[Alphadawg7]

Not a lot needs to be said here, but this man deserves recognition and appreciation for literally saving Damar’s  life Monday night.  Without his efforts the world would have lost another good soul far too soon in Hamlin.  
 

Americans across this country have rallied to donate $7.5M to Hamlins charity.  Which is an incredible feat and amazing silver lining.  So it would be hard to ask America to also step up and do something for Denny after all the generosity and compassion shown to Hamlin and his charity so far.

 

But I would like to personally acknowledge gratitude to our assistant athletic trainer for his incredible performance on Monday and how he saved this young man’s life.  I hope the team or the city of Buffalo finds some way to recognize this outstanding feat and performance under the immense pressure of a life or death situation.  
 

Thank you Denny, this team is blessed you are here and have their backs.  Incredible work in an incredibly difficult situation, you truly are a hero and hope you get the recognition of being a hero that you deserve.  
 

You have even inspired my wife and I to refresher courses in CPR as we never know when it could save a life.  

 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by Alphadawg7

[NI Bills Fan]

Well said.

 

I hope he is appreciated/celebrated appropriately at Sunday's game or a home playoff game. The way this organisation has handled this week, I've no doubt that will indeed happen.

 

[Einstein]

I’m super impressed with how quickly they figured out what the problem was. 

 

The physicians mentioned that multiple times during the press conference today. Extremely quick recognition. 

[Locomark]

What amazing action by him and and the whole team! The NFL/Bills need to give his kids a free college fund or something worthy of his effort. 

Edited January 6, 2023 by Locomark

[Alphadawg7]

Kind of surprised this thread isn't getting more love and activity.  I applaud Josh and McD bringing much needed attention to him and his heroics.  I hope the appropriate amount of recognition starts to happen more for him.  Without him and his decisive actions and dedicated effort this likely would be a much sadder story.  

[wppete]

A living hero! Thank you! 

[HOUSE]

[AlfaBill]

I was hoping he would’ve been made available at the press conference. 

[muppy]

Mr Kellington did his job to perfection from all Ive read  KUDOS  and Thank you Sir

[Royale with Cheese]

What he did was literally a miracle.  Think about the pressure he was under.

 

It's the biggest game of the NFL season and millions upon millions are watching.  There's 60,000 people in the stands and becomes completely quiet when they see what's going on.

 

He has a man on the ground who is essentially dead....he has to bring him back to life.  He cannot make a mistake and he cannot hesitate, he already lost seconds because he had to run to him from the sideline, immediately recognize the situation and then perform immediate and flawless CPR....with players sobbing barely able to control themselves and 60,000 people in the stands watching stone cold quiet. 

 

This mother****** is an amazing person and needs even more recognition.  

Edited January 6, 2023 by Royale with Cheese

[DCofNC]

Great to see, all first responders deserve more recognition.

[jkeerie]

Thank you Mr Kellington...for your knowledge, your quick action...and for being such a valuable part of this team!  Well done, sir...and God bless you!

[KDIGGZ]

Great work and thank God they acted so swiftly. Surprising that the assistant trainer was the one to do it given the lead medical doctor was there as well as other trainers and doctors from both teams. I'm not sure the protocol or how he ended up in charge but just an interesting observation and it seemingly it all worked out well in the end

[Not Applicable]

2 hours ago, Einstein said:

I’m super impressed with how quickly they figured out what the problem was. 

 

The physicians mentioned that multiple times during the press conference today. Extremely quick recognition. 

The ability to assess the situation, realize he needed CPR, clear his jersey and shoulder pads from his chest, and begin treatment - all in about 20 seconds - is nothing short of remarkable.

Edited January 6, 2023 by Patrick Fitzryan

[SinceThe70s]

 

I have a ton of respect for what Denny Kellington and his co-workers accomplished. It's one thing to be trained in CPR and the use of an AED.  Recognizing the need to put that training to use and doing it effectively in such a high stress situation is amazing to me.

 

Another great thing that comes out of this horrific event is raising awareness of the need for AED's and CPR training for youth sports which has  already started: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/05/saints-and-pelicans-donate-67-aeds-to-local-recreation-departments/

 

I hope that portions of the Chasing M's GoFundMe go to equipping Damar's community with AED's and funding CPR training for coaches/parents in the years ahead.

[Thrivefourfive]

Can some of you more “wise” members here recall the situation with the Sabres goalie in the late 80s? The stories told down my family tree is that the Sabres trainer was a Vietnam War Med vet, and because of his experience with trauma situations in the war, he stuck his fingers in Malarchuk’s neck and pinched the artery and saved his life.

 

Not trying to veer the thread : just recognize the small company who simply save Buffalo players lives over the years.

[LOVEMESOMEBILLS]

 

 He's the hero of this story. Thank you and well done sir!!

[Beck Water]

12 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

Great work and thank God they acted so swiftly. Surprising that the assistant trainer was the one to do it given the lead medical doctor was there as well as other trainers and doctors from both teams. I'm not sure the protocol or how he ended up in charge but just an interesting observation and it seemingly it all worked out well in the end

 

I don't think he was in charge, but the athletic trainers were the ones out there initially and had to recognize the situation and radio for the rest of the response crew and equipment/start CPR

 

They may have done the first CPR right through the pads and everything, so the guy really had to be a Beast to make it effective.

 

I LOVE for 1st responders and EMS personnel to get their propers, but it really needs to be recognized that this, like a football game, was a Total Team Effort.

Whoever cut the jersey and pads off enough to do effective defibrillation and got the facemask off to deliver oxygen, whoever called the Code (whatever their word is for cardiac arrest) and radioed for the defib and other supplies, deserves just as much credit.

[Cheektowaga Chad]

I really hope they announce the medical and training staff and have them run out of the tunnel before sunday's game

[Alphadawg7]

18 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

What he did was literally a miracle.  Think about the pressure he was under.

 

It's the biggest game of the NFL season and millions upon millions are watching.  There's 60,000 people in the stands and becomes completely quiet when they see what's going on.

 

He has a man on the ground who is essentially dead....he has to bring him back to life.  He cannot make a mistake and he cannot hesitate, he already lost seconds because he had to run to him from the sideline, immediately recognize the situation and then perform immediate and flawless CPR....with players sobbing barely able to control themselves and 60,000 people in the stands watching stone cold quiet. 

 

This mother****** is an amazing person and needs even more recognition.  

 

Great post!  I think that is what is a bit lost in the story is the extraordinary circumstances he had to perform under...to literally revive a man in front of that crowd, his brothers on the field, his family, and to the millions watching in prime time...just wow!  I mean it is just an immense amount of pressure and stress to have someones life in your hands to begin with, but to have to do it under those circumstances and for that long...unreal.  

 

 

Just now, Cheektowaga Chad said:

I really hope they announce the medical and training staff and have them run out of the tunnel before sunday's game

 

This!  I think this would be an incredible moment and I really really really hope they do this! 

[Beck Water]

15 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Can some of you more “wise” members here recall the situation with the Sabres goalie in the late 80s? The stories told down my family tree is that the Sabres trainer was a Vietnam War Med vet, and because of his experience with trauma situations in the war, he stuck his fingers in Malarchuk’s neck and pinched the artery and saved his life.

 

Not trying to veer the thread : just recognize the small company who simply save Buffalo players lives over the years.

 

Yes.

 

Quote

Malarchuk's life was saved due to quick action by the Sabres' athletic trainer, Jim Pizzutelli, a former US Army combat medic who served in the Vietnam War. He gripped Malarchuk's neck and pinched off the vein, not letting go until doctors arrived to begin stabilizing the wound. He led Malarchuk off the ice then applied extreme pressure by kneeling on his collarbone—a procedure[clarification needed] designed to produce a low breathing rate and low metabolic state, which is preferable to exsanguination. Malarchuk was conscious and talking on the way to the hospital, and jokingly asked paramedics if they could bring him back in time for the third period.[1] The game resumed when league personnel received word that Malarchuk was in stable condition.[8]

 

 

[Punching Bag]

Interesting that with doctors and emergency paramedics there an athletic trainer does the CPR.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

amen.

[davefan66]

5 hours ago, Limeaid said:

Interesting that with doctors and emergency paramedics there an athletic trainer does the CPR.

With proper training, anyone can do CPR.  I’m sure Kellington has had extensive training for this type of scenario.  It shows in how they saved Damar’s life. 

 

Problem is, not everyone does proper CPR. The importance is proper depth and rhythm, or as they called it “High Quality CPR”.  Proper depth is 2” and 100 to 120 BPM to enable proper circulation.  Ventilation is also important for oxygenation. Intubating him as they did allowed for ventilation via an ambu bag allowing for little or no stopping of compressions.

 

It is not easy to perform CPR and keep up with the amount of pressure to achieve that depth and the proper amount of compressions per minute.  Sing the song “Staying Alive” in your head and that’s the rhythm you need to achieve.  It’s brute power to keep up with the depth needed.  

 

What this team of people at his side on the field did is nothing short of a miracle. Incredible response time and working flawlessly to save his life. Amazing work.
 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by davefan66

[Dr.Sack]

This guy is a hero. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

They do this everyday day. They’re super heroes. By they I mean doctors, nurses, paramedics, athletic trainers. Any medical professional. 

[T master]

The Bills organization is filled with good people that aren't afraid to do their jobs & do it to the best of their abilities & I'm glad that they had this man working for the team to be there at the time Damar needed him to be & i am glad he is getting the recognition he deserves for his hard work & preparation up to that point .

 

I know that in our every one gets a trophy world in which we live that in some way the organization gives him the props he deserves because this isn't a every one get a trophy moment but a very well earned & very deserved moment of recognition for this man !! 

[Apocalypse Nuts]

Huge shout out to Denny and the rest of those on the field who got out to Damar so fast.  Just so impressed with how quickly he recognized the dire situation and put his training into action.

 

All this has made me recall the CPR training I got in the Army at Ft. McClellan over 30 years ago.  I still remember the basics and have been mentally drilling them in case they are ever needed again.

 

 I will be looking for a refresher course in my area soon and I recommend everyone take the time to learn CPR as well if they can.  The basic training course I did was not overwhelming and easy to understand and remember. Hopefully what they teach now isn’t all that different.  

Go Bills!!!

 

[BuffaloMatt]

Can he play safety? (Too soon?)

[NoHuddleKelly12]

Well deserved accolades—when seconds mattered, he and his fellow staff came through. This organization is solid from top to bottom. 

[CSBill]

13 hours ago, Limeaid said:

Interesting that with doctors and emergency paramedics there an athletic trainer does the CPR.

 

Protocols in an CPR situation call for the first person there who knows what they are doing to do it. I assume he was the first one there and recognized what he needed to do.