More than half of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive immediate CPR, a statistic that underscores a critical gap in emergency response. To address this, the American Heart Association and the National Football League have announced the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers™ Player Ambassador Class, comprising 33 current NFL players who will encourage fans to learn Hands-Only CPR and act in cardiac emergencies.
The ambassadors, including Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills and Jordan Whittington of the Los Angeles Rams, will engage fans through public service announcements, social media, and community education initiatives. Ahead of World Restart a Heart Day on Oct. 16, fans at tonight’s Monday Night Football matchup between the Bills and Rams at SoFi Stadium can participate in free Hands-Only CPR education during the pregame fan fest. Hamlin, a national ambassador for Nation of Lifesavers, and Whittington will take the field to spotlight CPR readiness.
“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.”
This is the third annual ambassador class, which began after Hamlin’s sudden cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football in January 2023. The full class includes players from all 32 NFL teams, such as Kaleb Proctor (Arizona Cardinals), Josh Woods (Atlanta Falcons), and Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns), among others.
The initiative is part of the American Heart Association’s goal to double survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030. The Association is also a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, established by the NFL in 2023, which advocates for policies to prevent fatal cardiac arrest among high school students. More than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital 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 crucial. If a teen or adult collapses, witnesses should call 9-1-1 and begin chest compressions at 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of about two inches. Hands-Only CPR is compression-only CPR. To learn more, visit www.heart.org/nation. Additional resources, including Bystander CPR information and a Bystander CPR Infographic, are available. For a quick tutorial, see Hands-Only CPR Resources and the guide Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths. Understanding the difference between Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack is also vital. Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, has been a leading source of health information for over a century. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, the organization funds research, advocates for public health, and provides critical resources to save lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. For more information, visit heart.org or stroke.org.
