The story of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills’ defensive back, who was injured making a tackle, has been very uplifting. It was amazing to see players and coaching staff from both teams hugging, crying, holding hands and kneeling in prayer for this one injured player, not to mention the thousands of spectators in the stands showing similar support, (“Damar Hamlin update: Latest on collapse, condition still critical; toy drive tops $3.6 million,” Jan. 3). All this in front of millions of television viewers! This is true sportsmanship, and the way it should be! I did not hear of anyone objecting to the players’ and coaches’ actions on the field, thankfully.

Ah, but have we so messed up what should be the norm in praying and showing compassion for one another? Remember, just a couple of years ago a lone football coach in Washington state was castigated, suspended and lost his contract because he prayed on the field after the game was over. Eventually, the United States Supreme Court did say he should get his job back, (“Washington state football coach at public school has right to pray after game, Supreme Court says,” June 27). Surely, we haven’t come to the point of objecting to showing compassion for one another because of a harmless act of prayer. Or have we?

Richard Jones, Gladstone

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