McCullough, an internist, cardiologist, epidemiologist and leading expert on COVID-19 treatment, explained the possible role of the vaccines in cardiac arrest and other heart injuries among athletes.

He said:

“Let me tell you that I did see head and neck contact with a tackle, which is not uncommon at all in football. Remember that the shoulder pads have a breastbone protector, [a] pretty substantial breastbone [protector], so they take helmets in the chest all the time.”

McCullough acknowledged that when a baseball hits an unprotected breastbone, it can precipitate a cardiac arrest, but said he was not aware of that happening in pro football, leading him to rule out commotio cordis.

“And as I watched things unfold it was relatively clear that [Hamlin] was in a primary cardiac arrest,” he said.

“I think what is looming large and the reason why there was so much emotion … the elephant in the room that no one could bring up — until I brought it up yesterday on national TV as the first public figure — is COVID-19 vaccination.”

McCullough cited increasing evidence that the vaccines can cause heart damage, particularly among men. There are now more than 200 peer-reviewed studies on COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis.

What Caused Damar Hamlin’s Cardiac Arrest? Experts Weigh In • Children’s Health Defense