Angel City FC defender Savy King used the NWSL’s end-of-the-year awards show to unveil a league-wide safety initiative born directly from the most terrifying moment of her life.
Ahead of the 2026 season, all 16 NWSL clubs will receive free CPR training through a partnership with King’s nonprofit, Savy King of Hearts, the NWSL and the American Heart Association. The initiative comes after King herself received CPR on the field after collapsing during a match earlier this year. Players, coaches and staff across the league will take part, making the NWSL the first American pro league in which every team receives standardized CPR instruction.
King pitched the idea to the league about a month ago. Her nonprofit, launched this summer, focuses on CPR awareness, preventive screenings and heart-health advocacy; it will lead the rollout with support from the AHA.
“This is a very personal topic for me, especially after what happened this year and having to receive CPR on the pitch,” she said. “Every single locker room and every team and player should know CPR, just in the event that anything can happen at any time.”
The league will also launch a player ambassador program, led by King, designating a representative from each team who will serve as a CPR awareness advocate on and off the pitch.
Six months ago, King collapsed in the 74th minute of Angel City’s match against the Utah Royals at BMO Stadium. She received CPR on the field for more than 10 minutes, with Angel City’s head of medical, Hollie Walusz, beginning chest compressions less than a minute after reaching her.
King was later diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition and underwent surgery. King has since been in cardiac rehabilitation and has spoken publicly about the importance of CPR training, which she credits with saving her life.
“I learned firsthand how fast a cardiac emergency can happen,” King said. “CPR saved my life. And this initiative is a step forward to making our league safer.”
Honoring the first responders and team training staff who were there to provide life-saving medical care to Savy King and Savannah DeMelo when they experienced medical emergencies on the field 💕 pic.twitter.com/yrZmRriyao
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 19, 2025
The initiative sees each NWSL team undergo CPR instruction from certified trainers, who will teach the American Heart Association’s recommended two-step method: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Training will also include AED education. The league is also creating a CPR ambassador program, with King serving as the lead and one player from each club acting as an advocate.
“We’re proud to be the first professional sports league to implement CPR training at this scale,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “This initiative reflects our commitment to player safety, community impact and leadership in health education.”
During Wednesday’s event in San Jose, King recognized Walusz and Angel City high-performance director Sarah Smith for their roles in saving her life and stewarding her recovery. King completed cardiac rehab this summer and was cleared last week for full-contact training under Smith’s supervision.
“I wouldn’t be here today without them,” King said. “They gave me a second chance at life. This initiative is the result of the care I received and the hope that no one else has to wait for a medical professional to be nearby when seconds matter.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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