NFL and American Heart Association Unveil 2025 Nation of Lifesavers Player Ambassador Class

Strategic Insights -

In a significant effort to boost awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Football League (NFL) have unveiled the 2025 Nation of Lifesavers Player Ambassador Class. Comprising 31 current NFL players, this class includes notable names such as Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills and national ambassador for the Nation of Lifesavers, as well as Thomas Morstead, the punter for the San Francisco 49ers. These ambassadors will promote the lifesaving skill of CPR by amplifying public service announcements, social media content, and local community education events, with the ultimate goal of doubling survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 Nation of Lifesavers Player Ambassador Class is made up of 31 current NFL players, including Damar Hamlin and Thomas Morstead.
  • The ambassadors will support the American Heart Association's call to action to learn CPR by amplifying public service announcements, social media content, and local community education events.
  • According to the American Heart Association, over half of sudden cardiac arrest victims outside hospitals don't receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate.
  • Learning Hands-Only CPR takes 90 seconds and can double or triple survival chances.
  • The NFL Foundation provides CPR grants to each team to help increase CPR and AED access in community neighborhoods.
  • The American Heart Association has worked alongside more than half of the NFL teams to educate players and staff, local youth coaches and fan families on Hands-Only CPR and train in Heartsaver(r) CPR AED.
  • The Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and 11 other teams have hosted American Heart Association trainings and education opportunities.
  • The American Heart Association is also a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition established by the NFL in 2023, which aims to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students.

Statistics:

  • 31 current NFL players make up the 2025 Nation of Lifesavers Player Ambassador Class.
  • 60% of sudden cardiac arrest victims outside hospitals don't receive immediate CPR.
  • 90% fatality rate if CPR is not administered immediately.
  • Learning Hands-Only CPR takes 90 seconds.
  • Hands-Only CPR can double or triple survival chances.
  • 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest annually outside of a hospital.
  • 40% of these cardiac arrests occur among student-athletes.
  • The American Heart Association has worked alongside more than half of the NFL teams to educate players and staff, local youth coaches and fan families on Hands-Only CPR and train in Heartsaver(r) CPR AED.

Sources:

  • American Heart Association press release, date not specified.
  • American Heart Association website, date not specified.
  • NFL Foundation website, date not specified.
  • Smart Heart Sports Coalition website, date not specified.