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Indianapolis Colts player rallies fans to close the CPR readiness gap
More than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive immediate CPR, underscoring the urgent need for more people to know how to respond when every second matters. To help close that gap, the American Heart Association and the National Football League today announced the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers™ Player Ambassador Class, bringing together current NFL players who will encourage fans to learn Hands-Only CPR and be ready to act in a cardiac emergency. Representing the Indianapolis Colts is linebacker Austin Ajiake.
“I want to support CPR education because it empowers individuals with the skills and confidence to save lives in emergency situations,” Ajiake said.
The ambassadors will encourage fans to learn Hands-Only CPR through public service announcements, social media and community education initiatives designed to help more people learn Hands-Only CPR. Ahead of World Restart a Heart Day on Oct. 16, fans attending tonight's 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 tonight to help 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.”
“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.”
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 Association is the global leader in CPR – publishing the official guidelines for CPR and, for more than 60 years creating resuscitation science, education and training. The Nation of Lifesavers and the collaboration with the NFL is the Association’s most recent demonstration of its commitment to CPR education and in support of its goal to double survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
The Association is the global leader in CPR – publishing the official guidelines for CPR and, for more than 60 years creating resuscitation science, education and training. The Nation of Lifesavers and the collaboration with the NFL is the Association’s most recent demonstration of its commitment to CPR education and in support of its goal to double survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
The American Heart Association is also a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition established by the NFL in 2023. The coalition is actively advocating for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies that will prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. According to the American Heart Association, more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac outside of a hospital annually, and about 40% of those occur among student-athletes. It is a leading cause of death for student-athletes nationwide.
With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important. If a teen or adult collapses, witnesses should immediately call 9-1-1 emergency services and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of approximately two inches. Hands-Only CPR is chest compression-only CPR. Learn CPR today, visit www.heart.org/nation.
Additional Resources:
Additional Resources:
- Downloadable B-roll, photos and infographics are available on the right column of this release link.
- Video interview with expert, Annie Arens, M.D., CPR/AED photos, demos and infographic available here.
- Bystander CPR | Bystander CPR Infographic (PDF)
- Hands-Only CPR Resources
- Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths
- Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
- Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.