NFL Player Ambassadors and American Heart Association Team Up to Close CPR Readiness Gap

More than half of people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive immediate CPR, a statistic that underscores a critical public health gap. 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 be prepared to act in a cardiac emergency.

The ambassadors will engage fans through public service announcements, social media, and community education initiatives aimed at increasing bystander CPR rates. Ahead of World Restart a Heart Day on October 16, fans attending the Monday Night Football matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium can participate in free Hands-Only CPR education in the pregame fan fest. Among the ambassadors are Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety and national ambassador for Nation of Lifesavers, and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington, both of whom will take the field to spotlight the importance of CPR readiness.

“When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death. NFL players have a powerful opportunity to help fans move from awareness to action by learning CPR and being prepared to use it,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Together with the NFL, we are building a nation of lifesavers.”

The 2026 class includes players from all 32 NFL teams, such as Kaleb Proctor (Arizona Cardinals), Josh Woods (Atlanta Falcons), Keyon Martin (Baltimore Ravens), Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Bills), Sam Martin (Carolina Panthers), Josh Blackwell (Chicago Bears), Kris Jenkins Jr. (Cincinnati Bengals), Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns), Tyler Booker (Dallas Cowboys), Kris Abrams-Draine (Denver Broncos), Skyler Gill-Howard (Detroit Lions), Kristian Welch (Green Bay Packers), Jaylin Noel (Houston Texans), Austin Ajiake (Indianapolis Colts), Wesley Williams (Jacksonville Jaguars), Trey Smith (Kansas City Chiefs), Caleb Rogers (Las Vegas Raiders), Alex Harkey (Los Angeles Chargers), Jordan Whittington (Los Angeles Rams), Zayne Anderson (Miami Dolphins), Jalen Redmond (Minnesota Vikings), Demario Douglas (New England Patriots), Justin Reid (New Orleans Saints), Devin Singletary (New York Giants), Sterling Shephard and Troy Reeder (New York Jets), E.J. Jenkins (Philadelphia Eagles), Germie Bernard (Pittsburgh Steelers), Garret Wallow (San Francisco 49ers), Charles Cross (Seattle Seahawks), Dean Patterson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Chimere Dike (Tennessee Titans), and Jaylin Lane (Washington Commanders).

This is the third annual ambassador class, which began following the sudden cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills’ player Damar Hamlin during Monday Night Football in early January 2023. “The NFL's partnership with the American Heart Association will ensure that all members of the NFL family can serve as lifesavers during medical emergencies,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility. “We look forward to working with our Nation of Lifesaver Player Ambassadors to expand access to vital CPR training and education in communities across the country.”

The American Heart Association is a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, established by the NFL in 2023, which advocates for evidence-based policies to prevent fatal cardiac arrest outcomes among high school students. According to the association, more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital annually, with about 40% occurring among student-athletes. With nearly three out of four out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happening in homes, CPR knowledge is critically important. Hands-Only CPR involves chest compressions at a rate of 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.

This initiative matters because it mobilizes influential NFL players to directly address a persistent gap in emergency response. By leveraging their platforms, the ambassadors can inspire millions of fans to learn CPR, potentially increasing survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The partnership also supports the American Heart Association’s goal to double survival rates by 2030. For Texas communities, the involvement of players like Tyler Booker of the Dallas Cowboys and Jaylin Noel of the Houston Texans brings the message home, encouraging local fans to become lifesavers. As the nation’s third annual class takes shape, the collaboration between the NFL and the American Heart Association continues to build a culture of preparedness that could save countless lives.