American Red Cross Awards Buffalo Bills Trainers Highest Honor for On-Field Heroics

For their heroic, lifesaving efforts, the American Red Cross has awarded six athletic trainers from the Buffalo Bills the Certificate of Merit, the highest honor given to those who use skills learned in a Red Cross course to save a life. These Lifesaving Awards, which are signed by the President of the United States, the honorary chair of the organization, are given in recognition of the lifesaving power of immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

During a ceremony in May, the athletic training and medical staff of the Buffalo Bills were recognized with Lifesaving Awards for actions taken in January, when millions of Americans witnessed Bills player Damar Hamlin collapse on the field from cardiac arrest during a football game. When their Emergency Action Plan was triggered, this group immediately called upon their training and preparedness to mobilize the necessary resources and procedures.

The Certificate of Merit was presented by Jack McMaster, president of Red Cross training services, to the athletic training staff of the Bills: Nate Breske; Marissa Figueroa; Kelsey Harkins; Denny Kellington; Joe Micca and Tabani Richards.

In addition, the Red Cross recognized the entire staff that made a difference that day with Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action, which recognize those who step up in an emergency to save a life. Awarded these were Dr. Leslie Bisson; Mark Carrier; Chris Clark; Joe Collins; Dr. Desaree Festa; Dr. Marc Fineberg; Dr. Mark Kim; Dr. Zachary Musial; Kori Reblin and Dr. Tom White.

The presentation of the awards coincides with recent announcements from The Smart Heart Sports Coalition, of which the Red Cross is a founding member, advocating for evidence-based policies, delivery of effective CPR and immediate access to AEDs that will prevent fatal outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest among high school students. Several NFL teams, along with other sports leagues and partners, are holding training events in June.

For more information, visit https://www.redcross.org.