NFL and AHA Team Up: 33 Players to Teach CPR in 2026

The American Heart Association and the National Football League have unveiled the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers™ Player Ambassador Class, enlisting 33 current NFL players to champion Hands-Only CPR education. The ambassadors, including Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington, will leverage public service announcements, social media, and community events to urge fans to learn chest compression-only CPR. The initiative addresses a critical gap: more than half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims do not receive immediate CPR. The announcement precedes World Restart a Heart Day on Oct. 16, with a kickoff event at tonight's Monday Night Football matchup between the Bills and Rams at SoFi Stadium, where fans can participate in free Hands-Only CPR training.

“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.” Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility, added that the partnership will “expand access to vital CPR training and education in communities across the country.” This third annual ambassador class follows Hamlin's own sudden cardiac arrest during a 2023 Monday Night Football game, which sparked the program. The American Heart Association, a founding member of the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, aims to double out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. With nearly 75% of cardiac arrests occurring at home, the push for widespread CPR readiness is urgent. Fans can learn more at www.heart.org/nation.