Houston Texans and American Heart Association Train Youth Coaches in CPR and AED Use

The Houston Texans, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, trained nearly 100 youth sports coaches in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use on May 30 at the Houston Methodist Training Center. The training, held as National CPR Week begins (June 1–7), aimed to equip coaches with the skills to respond to sudden cardiac arrest, a leading cause of death among student-athletes.

Coaches from the Texans Showcase League and Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association participated in hands-on sessions to recognize cardiac arrest and act quickly. According to the American Heart Association, without immediate CPR, more than 90% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital do not survive. The 2026 American Heart Association Statistical Update notes that nearly 40% of sudden cardiac arrests in youth under 18 are related to sports activities, making preparedness essential.

CPR, especially when performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. The training is part of the Texans’ commitment to improving bystander CPR and supporting the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. Each participating coach received a CPR Anytime Kit to share training with other coaches, parents, and volunteers, extending these skills across youth sports programs. Additionally, the Texans donated three AEDs to the F.U.N. Football League, this year’s Texans Showcase League, to enhance emergency response readiness.

“When seconds matter it is important to have people nearby who are confident and capable of beginning CPR. Through our collaboration with the Houston Texans, we’re empowering coaches with the skills to act in a cardiac emergency,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Through this effort, youth sports coaches are gaining the confidence and skills to act quickly and help protect the athletes in their care.”

The American Heart Association, a worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring at home, knowing CPR is critically important. Hands-Only CPR, which involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, is effective for teens and adults and can be learned by anyone.

In 2023, the NFL launched the Smart Heart Sports Coalition with founding members including the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, the American Heart Association, and others. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. Implementing these simple, cost-effective strategies can save lives.

For more information on learning Hands-Only CPR, visit www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.