?? ?? Sports World Unites Around Damar Hamlin

Hi, SportsTech fans,?

If you want to understand how sports brings us together, look no further than the incredible story of Damar Hamlin.?Click the photo to watch?the outpouring of support:

Like you, we all sat stunned as the play happened during Monday Night Football on Jan. 2. What followed was unprecedented as television play-by-play anchors and the studio back in Bristol tried to figure out their course of action from calling a game to assessing the health and life of an athlete. Suddenly, opposing teams and fans came together as one, all standing in a stadium – and watching around the world – with the shared hope that Hamlin would be OK.??

Thanks to the quick actions of the medical and training staff, Damar Hamlin’s life was saved. The outpouring of support that followed was a sign not just of the cohesiveness?of the NFL community but also of the compassion and support that sports fans feel for the athletes that put it all on the line.?

If you need proof, read the stories about the Bengals fans who walked directly to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to hold a vigil outside in the rain. Teammate Stefon Diggs took an Uber to the hospital, and a sports reporter had to vouch for him for the police to let him in. Fans worldwide took notice of an old GoFundMe account Hamlin established to donate toys to kids in Pittsburgh. It skyrocketed from $2,500 to well over $8 million.?

Remarkably, the solidarity across the league was incredible. When the stadium and players cleared, Bengals Coach Zac Taylor drove to the hospital to check on Hamlin. Every single team in the league updated their social media avatars to "Pray for Damar” and updated their 30-yard lines with blue paint. Players donned warmups that read “Love for Damar.” Even the ESPN television crews got into the spirit by flipping the company’s “E” logo on microphones to appear like the number three.?

We’ve been cheering his recovery and find it incredible how a near-tragic story so beautifully transformed into a miracle, uniting sports fans and teams with a singular goal. Onward and upward, Damar!??

Here are some other stories we’re reading around the world of sports this month.

Alums in the News?

?? LetzChat Exec Inducted To College Football Hall of Fame?

Before we got to know Bryant McKinnie, COO of LetzChat, in our accelerator program, he was a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron. During his time at the U – the University of Miami, the offensive tackle was an extraordinary blocker, never allowing his QB to get sacked. He was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2001, which earned him the Outland Trophy. He played in the NFL for the Vikings, Ravens, and Dolphins. This month, he was inducted into the … [?Read More?]?

?? Eon Media’s Algorithm Featured in Bloomberg

Our sports tech alum Eon Media and their proprietary algorithm are featured in a Bloomberg Businessweek article by Michael Croley on sports organizations embracing data-based decision-making. Find out how the NFL & the Golf Channel are using more predictive analytics to prevent … [?Read More ]

Partners in the News?

? Shiffrin Breaks All-Time Women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Record

American Mikaela Shiffrin became the most decorated female Alpine skier in history. At World Cup 83 wins, Shiffrin is just four away from ... [?Read More?]?

?? What Netflix Sports Docs Can Tell us About Upcoming PGA Tour Series?

We may not think of golf as a sport steeped in speed, but it is. The flight path and trajectory of the club's swing, and even the traverse of the ball on the greens. Netflix is going to be introducing a lot of interesting and innovative camera angles into this highly-anticipated docuseries “Full Swing” from high above to places cameras previously never went to, like the locker room. From the folks that brought us “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” there’s a lot we can learn from … [?Read More?]?

?? Action Sports Star’s Quest To Tackle Daytona 500?

Travis Pastrana is one of the most recognizable names in action sports. As a pro motorsports competitor and stunt performer, he’s won championships and X Games gold from motocross to rally racing, but there is one race he’s never done, and that’s … [?Read More?]???

Sports Tech Stories We're Reading????

?? The Popeyes Kid Meme Comes Full Circle With NIL Deal?

If you’re a fan of memes, you may recall Dieunerst Collin, who went viral at 9. Holding a Popeyes drink cup, he looked over at the cameraman with a suspicious look after he was teased about his resemblance to a viral video star. The meme holds up to this day, but it came full circle when the fast food restaurant offered Collin a NIL now that he plays division 2 college football at … [?Read More?]??

?? NBA Single Game Attendance Record Shattered

Earlier this month, the San Antonio Spurs returned to their old home, the Alamodome, for a regular-season contest against the Golden State Warriors in honor of the team’s 50th anniversary. Spurs Hall of Famer David Robinson was on hand and announced the official attendance of … [?Read More?]?

?? League of Legends Tournament Coming to North Carolina?

The League Champions Series has announced a United States venue for their League of Legends Spring Finals. It happens to be held at an emerging international hub of esports. The location will be at this arena …?[?Read More?]?

?? Green Bay Packers Unveil Donut Vending Machine

You’d think free donuts inside a major sports stadium would be an impossible dream, but for Green Bay Packers fans in the know, it’s the real deal. It’s a clever partnership between the team and convenience store chain Kwik Trip. To earn the free donut, fans must first … [?Read More?]????

Photo of the Month?

Damar Hamlin’s heart gesture has become a symbol for Buffalo Bills fans in the wake of his horrific injury earlier this month. As he returned home to Buffalo to recover and reconvene with the team, he learned how the city had come together. This mural by a Pulitzer-prize-winning artist is one example of how the city has rallied behind Hamlin.??

“I got caught up as everyone did in the moment with this incredible story of Hamlin and his recovery,”?Adam Zyglis said. “It became sort of this moment for the country of unity, it was just incredible. After he just made his full recovery and back to Buffalo, I was just inspired to capture this, piece of Buffalo unity and the national unity.”

We look forward to sharing more program updates and sports tech stories with you next month!?

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-- The SportsTech Team