The New Orleans Saints and Pelicans have donated defibrillators to more than 60 Louisiana youth sports facilities following NFL running back Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest on Monday
- Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the turf during MNF vs. Cincinnati
- The Buffalo safety was given CPR as he lay motionless while the game was paused
- He was shifted to the ICU and is now making encouraging progress after a few days
- Many sports organizations have thrown their support behind the initiative since then
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Sports franchises and communities came together after Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on Monday Night Football and New Orleans’ pro teams were no exception.
The Saints and Pelicans announced Thursday that 67 schools in the local area will receive automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
‘In light of the horrific events involving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, we feel it is urgent that we reach out to our local recreation facilities to determine their needs,’ said the owner Gayle Benson.
The sports community has come together in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest
Buffalo Bills safety Hamlin collapsed on the field in the MNF game against the Cincinnati Bengals
‘NFL games have the most advanced medical staff and equipment and we believe this needs to be replicated as much as possible at the youth sports level.’
Forty New Orleans Recreation Department facilities and 27 Jefferson Parish Recreation Department sites will now have access to AEDs – including two football fields, three baseball fields and 35 parks.
The NBA and NFL franchises will also cover the cost of training sessions for staff at the facilities to familiarize themselves with the life-saving equipment.
New Orleans Saints & Pelicans owner Gayle Benson discusses the importance of safety in sports
Hamlin received CPR, which without it could have caused a different outcome, on the field during the ultimately canceled Buffalo-Cincinnati MNF game.
The 24-year-old is currently ‘awake’ and has made ‘great improvement’ after suffering a cardiac arrest after being hit by Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, who spoke for the first time on Thursday since the incident.
Bills assistant trainer Denny Kellington gave Hamlin life-saving CPR on the field after he collapsed, to the shock of teammates and opposing players.
The NBA and NFL organizations will provide AEDs and training to staff at 67 local facilities
Naturally, the game was suspended before the rescheduling was decided a few days ago.
NFL owners will meet Friday to discuss the league’s proposal to potentially play the AFC Championship at a neutral site after playoff seeding was affected by the cancellation of the Week 17 game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
That highly anticipated showdown carries significant playoff implications with the Bills currently occupying the No. 1 seed of the AFC. It is two spots behind Cincinnati at No. 3.
