The American Heart Association, National Football League, and Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's Foundation will train thousands of people in Hands-Only CPR during the NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on April 24, 2026. This initiative aims to address the critical gap where more than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside hospitals do not receive immediate CPR, despite the procedure doubling or tripling survival chances.
Registration for the free training is available at heart.org/NFLDraft. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized that every second matters during cardiac arrest, and this collaboration with the NFL and Hamlin is designed to equip individuals with the confidence and skills to act when needed most.
The event builds on the Nation of Lifesavers movement launched by the American Heart Association in 2023 following Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's sudden cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game. Hamlin, who serves as National Ambassador for Nation of Lifesavers, stated that training during the NFL Draft in his hometown represents a full-circle moment. He highlighted that CPR saves lives and encouraged communities to prioritize health, wellness, and lifesaving skills.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 90% of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest without immediate CPR do not survive. Hands-Only CPR requires no formal training and can be learned in as little as 90 seconds, making large-scale training events particularly valuable for improving survival rates. The technique involves calling 911 and performing chest compressions at 100-120 beats per minute to a depth of approximately two inches.
The collaboration extends beyond the NFL Draft through year-round initiatives. The NFL Foundation provides CPR grants to all teams to expand CPR training and automated external defibrillator access in local communities. Since 2023, these grants have supported Hands-Only CPR training, credentialing programs, and the placement of CPR kits in schools and youth sports organizations. The American Heart Association has worked with more than half of NFL teams to educate players, staff, coaches, and families.
Hands-Only CPR education is also integrated into NFL PLAY 60 youth health and wellness efforts through partnerships with the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs. These initiatives teach students and families to recognize cardiac arrest, call 911, and perform chest compressions.
With nearly three out of four cardiac arrests occurring in homes, the ability to perform CPR becomes critically important for saving family members and loved ones. Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility, noted that the partnership with the American Heart Association demonstrates the league's commitment to building safer, stronger communities by providing people with the knowledge and confidence to act during medical emergencies.
Additional resources about Hands-Only CPR are available at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR and www.heart.org/nation.
