LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin partnered with the American Heart Association for Red Heart Awareness Day last week to show how CPR can save lives.

It’s been three years since millions watch the now 27-year-old take a hit that stopped his heart.

As he reflected on what some call the “NFL effect,” his thoughts turned to others.

“There’s no worse feeling than someone you love going down and you not knowing what to do,” he said. “That’s a helpless feeling that I wouldn’t wish on anyone ever.”

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In an interview with “GMA’s” Michael Strahan, Damar Hamlin opens up about his recovery after going into cardiac arrest during a football game six weeks ago.

“I actually was watching that game,” said professional soccer player Savy King, who signed with Angel City FC last year. “I’m a huge fan.”

Hamlin’s collapse inspired her to learn CPR.

Little did she know sudden cardiac arrest would strike her during a game last May.

“I ended up going down. I went unconscious and I ended up having a heart attack, and they had to do emergency CPR on me,” she recalled.

CPR is what allowed both King and Hamlin to survive.

“About 350,000 people a year have an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest,” said American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown. “They can be people in our communities, our family members, our loved ones, our co-workers.”

After what happened to Hamlin, the National Women’s Soccer League was prepared.

The momentum led to the creation of mandatory cardiac arrest emergency response plans not just in organized sports, but it’s become policy in many states.

“We’re doing the work to make sure that all kids around the world can play safely. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in youth sports, and we’re tackling that,” said Hamlin.

“Every player. Every coach. Everyone involved with the National Women’s Soccer League will be trained in CPR,” Brown said.

Hamlin and King are working with the American Heart Association to encourage everyone to learn hands-on CPR.

“You never know when it’ll be your turn to be a superhero, and I always love to say that learning and knowing how to use and perform CPR is like having a superpower,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin travels with the American Heart Association to raise CPR awareness. King serves as the face of the National Women’s Soccer League’s groundbreaking CPR initiative.

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