CPR education earns students Super Bowl tickets and schools $50,000 in PE equipment

DALLAS, Sept. 23, 2026 - Five students and five schools have been awarded special incentive prizes as part of a collaboration between the American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, and the National Football League (NFL) Foundation to encourage young people to learn Hands-Only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Students who participated in the Association's in-school programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, during the 2025-26 school year and learned Hands Only CPR were eligible for incentive prize drawings from the NFL. Individual prizes included tickets to Super Bowl LXI and participating schools were eligible for a drawing of $10,000 for a physical activity equipment makeover.

The following students each received two tickets to Super Bowl LXI taking place on Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California:

• Finley of Tonawanda, New York
• Amelia of Parma, Ohio
• Nicolas of Doral, Florida
• Sophia of Rio Rancho, New Mexico
• Mark of Mesa, Arizona

The following schools received $10,000 to use for a physical activity equipment makeover:

• Chancellor Elementary School in Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Lincoln K-8 in Rochester, Minnesota
• Watertown Elementary in Watertown, Tennessee
• Commonwealth Elementary in Sugar Land, Texas
• Olita Elementary in La Habra, California

"Every student who learns Hands-Only CPR represents another potential lifesaver in their home, school or community," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "The NFL's unparalleled reach into communities across the country helps us bring lifesaving CPR education directly to students where they learn and play. By combining the NFL's platform and influence with the American Heart Association's leadership in resuscitation science and education, we can equip more young people with the skills and confidence to act in a cardiac emergency and help create a nation of lifesavers."

Students who participate in the Association's in-school Heart Challenge program receive free Hands-Only CPR instruction so they can be confident and capable to respond in a cardiac emergency. More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year[1], 70% of those occurring at home[2]. According to American Heart Association data, 9 out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person's chance of survival. A scientific statement from the Association shows that children as young as age four can impact the survival rate by calling 911[3] and children as young as 9 can provide quality chest compressions.

"As PLAY 60 enters its 20th season, we have an exciting opportunity to build on the program's impact while continuing to evolve how we help kids get active and stay healthy," said NFL senior vice president of social responsibility, Anna Isaacson. "PLAY 60 partners like the American Heart Association are critical to that mission, helping us create engaging new ways for children to play, move and reach 60 minutes of physical activity each day."

The NFL's support includes an introduction video by Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety and cardiac arrest survivor. In the video, which appears prior to the Kids Heart Challenge Hands-Only CPR online learning module, Hamlin shares that CPR saved his life and encourages kids to learn the lifesaving skill. The NFL Foundation renewed their commitment to support CPR education for the 2026-27 school year. Once again, five student participants will receive tickets to Super Bowl LXII on Feb. 1, 2028, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, and five schools will receive $10,000 fitness equipment makeovers. Entries are available now to those completing the Hands-Only CPR module called Finn's Mission. Parents and school administrators can visit heart.org/jointhechallenge to learn how their students can participate.

With a foundation set in physical activity and rooted in proven science, Kids Heart Challenge has expanded beyond the gymnasium to meet the needs of today's youth and educators as science has proven the strong connection between physical and mental health. The program offers a variety of activities to get elementary students' hearts pumping such as dance, basketball or jumping rope paired with digital missions such as learning Hands-Only CPR. The Association has worked with schools across the nation for nearly 50 years promoting physical health and wellness.

The American Heart Association is the global leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and publishes the official guidelines for CPR. The collaboration with the NFL is the Association's most recent demonstration of the vow to grow CPR education with the commitment to double survival rates of cardiac emergencies by 2030. With most cardiac arrests outside the hospital occurring at homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important for all families. If a teen or adult collapses, witnesses should immediately call emergency services and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of approximately two inches.

The Association encourages everyone, everywhere to join in the Nation of Lifesavers initiative and make CPR awareness and education a permanent fixture in all communities across the country. Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life now at https://www.heart.org/nation.

Additional Resources:

• Available multimedia is on right column of release link.
• Watch: NFL and American Heart Association honor Super Bowl ticket winners and award school gym grants. (View video)

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

For Media Inquiries:

American Heart Association: Linzy Cotaya, [email protected]

National Football League: Ian Martin, [email protected]

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org