Damar Hamlin launches 'plan to put back into the world' with challenge to LeBron James, Tom Brady and Michelle Obama

Dan Treacy

Damar Hamlin launches 'plan to put back into the world' with challenge to LeBron James, Tom Brady and Michelle Obama image

As Bills safety Damar Hamlin recovers after going into cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati four weeks ago, he's continuing to use his platform for good. 

Hamlin announced Tuesday that he's partnering with the American Heart Association to promote "CPR awareness and education" by launching the "3 for Heart" challenge.

Hamlin issued a challenge to a pair of living legends in Tom Brady and LeBron James, as well as former First Lady Michelle Obama. After all he's overcome, why set the bar low? 

MORE: Damar Hamlin thanks Bills fans, medical staff in first video message since cardiac arrest

Brady and James both expressed support for Hamlin after his on-field collapse on Jan. 2. 

The "3 for Heart" challenge appropriately has three steps. Anyone wishing to take Hamlin up on the challenge can start by going to Heart.org/3 and watching a video that teaches hands-only CPR. The challenge also includes a donation to the American Heart Association to promote CPR awareness, and finally, it calls for each person to challenge three more people.

MORE: Damar Hamlin addresses ludicrous 'clone' conspiracy theory after appearance at Bills-Bengals in one-word tweet

Viral challenges have produced big results in the past. The Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS awareness raised $115 million for ALS research in 2014. Hamlin is using his platform to build on a recent push for as many people as possible to become trained in CPR.

Less than a month into his recovery, Hamlin has already made it clear he plans to turn his life-threatening incident into something positive. In one of his first tweets since his collapse, Hamlin said, "The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world." 

Hamlin's Chasing M's foundation has received over $9 million in donations since he was hospitalized. 

After receiving second chance at life, Hamlin has the platform to make a difference in the world. Everything he's done since leaving the hospital suggests he's ready to jump at that opportunity. 

 

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.