Something beautiful is happening. Following Monday night’s tragic sequence of events in Cincinnati, our shared humanity has been on full display. Teams are no longer separated by sidelines. Fans are no longer sorted by logos. Points on the scoreboard aren’t as relevant. Records and seedings are secondary. What is primary at this moment is our shared humanity, shared humanity through brokenness. Being broken makes us human. Each of us is vulnerable in any given moment.

Following Damar Hamlin’s collapse at Paycor Stadium, compassion, empathy, and unity were on full display in the broadcasting studios. Speculation was forbidden. Only known facts and supportive words were permitted. This was journalism and broadcasting at its finest.

This needs to be our new normal. Damar’s heart stopped and was restarted right in front of our eyes. Let this be our reset. Continue the respectful compassion for all sports coverage.

Speculation became commonplace when news channels began running 24 hours a day. How else are they going to fill that time gap? Similarly, that’s how they fill the information gap- with speculation, which then evolves into rumors, more dramatic storylines, and strays further from the truth.

That is why Monday night’s broadcast was so difficult, maybe even awkward for the announcers. It was painful to watch Damar go down, and not know what was happening with him or what his updated condition was. But speculation very quickly became inappropriate and even disrespectful.

Even seasoned reporters stumbled a bit in their initial response. That kind of situation isn’t pre-choreographed. With a known physical injury, they automatically zoom out, pan away, and cut to a commercial. It’s meticulously choreographed. They didn’t know what to do when all they had were emotions. Sitting with emotional matters, live on tv, was new territory. Compassion and empathy need to become a knee jerk reaction. It boils down to real humans in a booth or studio reacting to real humans on the field of play.

It’s ok and preferable to just sit with it. Let the gravity of it sink in. Let yourself feel feelings about it. Only report what can be verified. It has already been said, but some of those broadcasters deserve an Emmy, for simply allowing themselves to have a human reaction on the air. Booger McFarland, Lisa Salters, Ryan Clark- I’m looking at you.

Compassion and unity should also be part of the evolution of the game itself. The comradery that we have witnessed across locker rooms and fanbases makes it that much more fun to watch and play. Yes, football (and many other sports) still has room for more safety and progression. It is inherently violent. But it doesn’t have to be malevolent in its violence, and we don’t need to void the sport completely. Damar Hamlin went down while he was living his dream, doing what he loved. We don’t need to shatter anyone’s dreams. We can maintain the shared humanity that has been on full display while also showcasing their inspiring athleticism. That’s what uplifts, entertains, and drives us.