More than half of people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive immediate CPR, a statistic that underscores a critical gap in public readiness. To address this, the American Heart Association and the National Football League have announced the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers™ Player Ambassador Class, featuring 33 current NFL players who will encourage fans to learn Hands-Only CPR.
The ambassadors, including Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills and Jordan Whittington of the Los Angeles Rams, will promote CPR education through public service announcements, social media, and community events. Their efforts aim to turn awareness into action, as immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances. Fans at tonight's Monday Night Football matchup between the Bills and Rams at SoFi Stadium can participate in free Hands-Only CPR training during the pregame fan fest, ahead of World Restart a Heart Day on Oct. 16.
"When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "NFL players have a powerful opportunity to help fans move from awareness to action by learning CPR and being prepared to use it." The initiative is part of the Association's goal to double out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
This is the third annual ambassador class, which began after Hamlin's sudden cardiac arrest during a game in January 2023. The NFL's partnership with the Association extends to the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, advocating for policies to prevent cardiac deaths among high school athletes. More than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest annually, with about 40% occurring in student-athletes.
With nearly three out of four out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happening at home, knowing CPR is vital. Hands-Only CPR involves chest compressions at 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of about two inches. Resources such as Bystander CPR and the Bystander CPR Infographic are available to help the public learn these life-saving skills. For more information, visit www.heart.org/nation or take 90 seconds to learn at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
The collaboration highlights the importance of community preparedness and the role of influential figures in promoting public health. By leveraging the platform of NFL players, the initiative seeks to create a nation of lifesavers, ultimately saving more lives from cardiac arrest. For additional details, see the release link.
