Following the tragic incident with Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the 2022 season, the NFL has doubled down on its commitment to formalized education, training and awareness surrounding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AEDs). The Browns have stepped up in support and launched their "Browns Tackle CPR" initiative, which aims to provide access to CPR and AED education training and awareness for those in the community of Northeast Ohio who may otherwise not have access to those opportunities.
With many different facets to the program, the team began its initiative by inviting CB Denzel Ward's Make Them Know Your Name Foundation to last year's training camp to help teach fans hands-only CPR. Through their activation at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Make Them Know Your Name was able to train over 100 fans in just one session of camp.
Following training camp, the Browns presented the opportunity for all Browns staff, players, coaches and significant others of players and coaches to become CPR and AED certified. In two separate training courses through University Hospitals (UH) held in the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus fieldhouse, the Browns were able to certify over 50 individuals in September 2023. Nicole Ward from the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation helped kick off the training, discussing the importance of CPR and the story of Denzel's dad's tragic passing due to cardiac arrest.
The Browns have continued the partnership with University Hospital through its AEDin3 Initiative. In December 2023, as part of the team's "Month of Giving," the Browns announced a $25,000 donation to the AEDin3 Initiative. The goal of the AEDin3 challenge is to raise awareness about the importance of practicing and implementing an emergency action plan in a timely and efficient manner. The three steps are to: create an emergency action plan, practice the emergency action plan and deliver an AED shock in three minutes or less.
The $25,000 donation has so far helped provide AEDs for nine Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) schools in support of their Senate League football program, in alignment with the Cleveland Browns field project program. As part of the donation, Dr. Robert Flannery of University Hospitals attended the CMSD Professional Development Day to deliver the nine AEDs and present on the AEDin3 Challenge and the importance of access and training when it comes to AEDs.
The Browns have also worked with UH to provide training to Cleveland Muny Youth Football League. Muny aims to provide a safe, organized, competitive and fun environment for children to play tackle football in Northeast Ohio, and is one of the Browns' biggest partners in the youth football space. In March 2024, the Browns partnered with University Hospitals to host a CPR and AED certification course for nearly 40 coaches from the league. The Browns will also be making a $5,000 donation to Muny to help them purchase AEDs for their 20+ teams, that can be brought to practices and games as needed throughout their season.
As a way to further engage with CMSD regarding their CPR and AED education and training, the Browns will be supporting the district's Integrated Health Expo in April 2024. The Browns will sponsor a life-size inflatable heart, which will be used to show students, teachers and the public the intricacies of the human heart and the importance of staying healthy and active. Also participating in the Expo are the TJ Carrie Foundation, started by Browns alum TJ Carrie, and Ward's Make Them Know Your Name Foundation.
The Browns are also proud supporters of the American Heart Association, who is dedicated to the cause of CPR and AED training and education. As part of the team's annual sponsorship of the Heart & Stroke Ball, the Browns have funded three CPR & First Aid in Youth Sports Training Kits. Through these kits, the Browns have the potential to train hundreds of student athletes, parents and coaches in CPR and other first aid techniques.
The Browns will continue to expand their Browns Tackle CPR initiative with several new events throughout the upcoming 2024 season. Following along on @BrownsGiveBack to learn more.
