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NFL Stars Become Lifesavers for CPR Awareness
13 Oct
Summary
- 33 NFL players named ambassadors for CPR education.
- Hands-Only CPR education offered at Monday Night Football.
- Initiative aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
The American Heart Association and the National Football League have announced the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers™ Player Ambassador Class, comprising 33 current NFL players. This initiative, launched on October 13, 2026, aims to significantly increase public knowledge and practice of Hands-Only CPR.
These ambassadors will encourage fans to learn CPR through public service announcements and social media campaigns. Free Hands-Only CPR education is available to fans attending tonight's Monday Night Football game. This program builds on a partnership that began after Damar Hamlin's sudden cardiac arrest in January 2023.
The American Heart Association, a leader in CPR guidelines, seeks to double out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030 through this collaboration. The Association also co-founded the Smart Heart Sports Coalition to advocate for policies preventing cardiac arrest among high school students.
Immediate CPR is crucial, as nearly 75% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home. Individuals witnessing a collapse should call 9-1-1 and begin chest compressions at 100-120 beats per minute.
