This column first appeared on JAPAN Forward’s SportsLook website on April 5, 2025.
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[ODDS and EVENS] NFL Player Damar Hamlin is Helping the AHA Promote Life-Saving CPR Skills
On a visit to The American School in Japan, Damar Hamlin teamed up with the American Heart Association for hands-only CPR training sessions.
By Ed Odeven
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin always wants to prevent opposing NFL teams from scoring points whenever he’s on the field. Making touchdown-saving tackles, pass deflections, fumble recoveries and interceptions are important parts of his job.
Hamlin completed his fourth NFL season in 2024, making 14 starts for the AFC East champion Bills (13-4), finishing with 79 tackles, a career-high five pass breakups and his first two interceptions as a pro.
An integral part of the Bills defense, Hamlin is also a high-profile figure in raising awareness about heart health. Teaming up with the American Heart Association, he participated in a pair of CPR sessions with middle school students at The American School in Japan on March 27 in Chofu, a western suburb of Tokyo.
To connect the dots in Hamlin’s life story and his ongoing commitment to public service, remember this: He survived an on-field cardiac arrest after making a tackle in the first quarter of a Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. His heart stopped functioning. Millions of people saw the unfolding crisis on TV.
Hamlin received CPR on the field, additional medical care in an ambulance and also at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center’s intensive care unit. He survived thanks to the professionalism and urgent help from trained medical personnel.
Outpouring of Support for Damar Hamlin
There was a tremendous outpouring of support for Hamlin throughout the NFL, and the game was postponed.
A statement from Bengals President Mike Brown a day later delivered an emotional response to the crisis.
“As medical personnel undertook extraordinary measures, both teams demonstrated respect and compassion while fans in the stadium and people around the country bolstered the support for Damar and love for each other,” Brown said. “The Bengals are thankful for the love and compassion shown by all. Praying for Damar.”
Grateful to be alive, Hamlin has dedicated time and money and energy to help make the world a better place. For example, in tribute to the Bills athletic training staff, Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation revealed the establishment of a scholarship in its honor.
Giving Back to the Community
On January 2, 2025, an announcement was made on the two-year anniversary of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. The Buffalo Heroes Scholarship was set up to provide financial assistance to 10 high school seniors and college-bound students who are enrolled in private high schools, trades schools or universities in the city.
“Two years ago, my life was forever changed, and I stand here today because of the incredible training of staff who acted quickly and saved me,” Hamlin said in January. “Their dedication, expertise, and compassion remind us of the importance of being prepared in the moments that matter most. Tonight, I honor them ― not just for saving my life, but for inspiring me to continue giving back and spreading the message of preparedness and hope.”
In March, thousands of miles away, Hamlin spoke at the ASIJ about his commitment to helping others and about teaming up with the AHA ― a win-win for the organization and the NFL ― to raise awareness about hands-only CPR.
Moving in a Positive Direction
Hamlin and many others with active roles in the AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers movement have helped reduce the reluctance of people to feel willing and able to perform CPR.
The findings from a 2024 survey shed light on a positive trend.
“When Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during Monday Night Football in January of 2023, nearly seven out of every 10 US adults said they would not feel confident to act during a cardiac emergency,” stated a January 2025 news release. “Based on the available data at the time, and tracking attitudes since, the association has seen a reported increase from 33% to 39% in bystander confidence to be able to perform any type of CPR ― or 17.7 million more Americans feeling confident to act in the event of a lifesaving emergency.”
Words of Encouragement from Damar Hamlin
During the second of two hands-only CPR training sessions in the ASIJ gymnasium on March 27, around 200 middle school students participated. The first session had about the same number of students.
Manikin dummies (just a head and a chest) were used to simulate CPR on humans.
What I witnessed in front of the large assembled mass of students during the hands-only CPR training consisted of clapping and then pushing down on each manikin’s chest to a rhythmic beat to maintain timing.
“It’s real [valuable] to teach things beyond the classroom,” commented Pip Curtis, ASIJ’s middle school principal while standing in the gym.
Said Hamlin, “I’m super excited for everyone to learn CPR.”
Two days before he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Yomiuri Giants’ home game at Tokyo Dome, the NFL player added, “To be able to learn CPR and use it is comparable to being a superhero.”
Continue reading the full column on SportsLook.
Ed Odeven Reporting 