Enhancing Player Safety in the NWSL
In a groundbreaking move for sports safety, Savy King, a defender for Angel City FC, has partnered with her nonprofit organization, Savy King of Hearts, to roll out a vital initiative aimed at enhancing player safety in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Announced on Wednesday at the inaugural NWSL Awards in San Jose, California, this new program will ensure that all players, coaches, and staff from the league’s 16 teams receive complimentary CPR training by the start of the 2026 season. With this initiative, the NWSL is set to become the first professional sports league in the United States to certify every individual associated with all teams in CPR.
Personal Experience and Urgency for CPR Training
“This initiative is deeply significant to me, especially in light of my personal experiences this year with CPR on the field,” King explained to ESPN.
She is referring to the distressing incident earlier this season when she, at just 20 years old, collapsed during a match against the Utah Royals. After falling to the ground without any prior injury, medical personnel, including Angel City’s head of medical, Hollie Walusz, administered life-saving CPR within minutes. Following the intense on-field care, King was quickly transported to the hospital, where doctors identified a rare congenital heart condition that required surgical intervention for her recovery.
King expressed the urgency for all players and teams to be equipped with CPR knowledge, stating,
“Every locker room and every player should be prepared for any emergency, as we never know when one might occur. My own situation has made this ever more clear. CPR saved my life.”
Collaboration and Training Initiatives
About a month prior to the announcement, King proposed the idea of providing free CPR training to the league. Her nonprofit, which she established over the summer, is dedicated to raising awareness regarding CPR, promoting preventive screenings, and advocating for heart health. The collaboration with the American Heart Association further legitimizes this effort. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating,
“We take pride in being the first professional sports league to integrate CPR training at this magnitude, valuing the safety of our players and the community’s well-being.”
Ahead of the 2026 season, certified instructors will provide the necessary CPR education to all team members, focusing on the American Heart Association-recommended two-step technique: dialing 911 and performing chest compressions. Additionally, training will include the use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).
Player Ambassador Program and Acknowledgments
Complementing this initiative, King’s nonprofit will also facilitate the launch of a player ambassador program that will select a representative from each team to serve as a CPR advocate, promoting awareness both on and off the field. During the award ceremony, King took a moment to recognize the contributions of Walusz and Angel City’s high-performance director, Sarah Smith, who played pivotal roles in her recovery. After a few months of cardiac rehabilitation, King is now back in training, recently cleared for contact practices at Angel City’s facility.
“I owe my life to them. They are the reason I’m able to lead this initiative, which stems from the critical CPR and medical assistance I received.”
This partnership stands as a promising step towards improving safety standards within the NWSL and underscores the importance of preparedness in athletic settings.
