Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker joined a national effort to teach fans lifesaving CPR on Monday, as the American Heart Association and NFL announced their 2026 Nation of Lifesavers player ambassadors.
The October 12 announcement names 33 players, including Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel. The players will promote Hands-Only CPR through public service announcements, social media and community education.
The campaign also includes free CPR education at the pregame fan fest for Monday night’s Bills-Rams matchup at SoFi Stadium, ahead of World Restart a Heart Day on October 16.
“When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death,” said Nancy Brown, the association’s chief executive officer, in the announcement.
More than half of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital receive no immediate CPR, according to the association. The organization launched the annual ambassador program after Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during a January 2023 game.
The Dallas Express previously covered Hamlin’s CPR challenge, which encouraged the public to learn the skill and share it with others.
Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chances of surviving cardiac arrest, according to the association’s guidance. Chest compressions help maintain blood flow while rescuers wait for medical professionals to arrive.
Hands-Only CPR uses chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth breaths. The association recommends it for bystanders who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse outside a hospital.
Its instructions emphasize two actions: Call 911, or send someone to call, and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. The association also identifies rapid defibrillation and emergency medical care as key parts of the response.
Readers can find CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator training through the association’s online course locator.
