COLUMBUS – A central Ohio lawmaker says he will reintroduce a bill that would make automatic external defibrillators, like those used to revive Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin when he suffered cardiac arrest during a game in Cincinnati last week, available to more Ohioans.
Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) says his legislation would require AED’s to be placed in public, charter and community schools, STEM schools, college-prep boarding schools, and public recreational facilities in Ohio.
An AED was used when Hamlin collapsed on the field during last Monday night’s game against the Benglals.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. I want to make sure we are putting our students, families, schools and organizations in the best position possible to handle these situations when they arise,” Brown said.
Brown’s bill was introduced in the last General Assembly but stalled in committee.
Players and fans across the NFL on Sunday paid tribute to Hamlin, who continued to breathe on his own but remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Hamlin selling shirts to benefit first responders
Hamlin is selling shirts to benefit first responders and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center amid his recovery from cardiac arrest.
He tweeted about the shirts after the Bills beat the New England Patriots 35-23 Sunday in their first game since Hamlin’s health scare.
His tweet included an image of three shirts, each with Hamlin’s hands forming a heart and “Did We Win?” in big print.
Hamlin’s first question after he awoke Thursday was whether the Bills had beaten the Cincinnati Bengals in the game when he collapsed on the field.
Fans have already contributed over $8.5 million to Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation as of Sunday evening.