What is the mission of Athletes for America?

Athletes for America (AFA) is a national network of athletes, sports teams, and organizations committed to promoting and participating in emergency preparedness training programs. Their mission is to educate millions of Americans on how to be better prepared and trained for any type of emergency, leveraging the strength of athletes and the American sports system.

What kind of emergency preparedness training does AFA focus on?

AFA focuses on promoting and participating in critical emergency preparedness training programs. These include CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), First Aid, AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training, aimed at preparing individuals to save lives.

How can I support Athletes for America's initiatives?

You can support Athletes for America by donating, which helps provide free life-saving equipment such as AEDs to communities. The organization also hosts and promotes charitable events, like the 9/11 Pickleball Charity Event, which offer further opportunities for support.

Athletes for America | Empowering Athletes to Save Lives

SAVE A LIFE…
CHANGE THE WORLD!

AMERICA'S NEW GENERATION OF FIRST RESPONDERS

AFA is a growing National Network of Athletes, sports teams and sports organizations that are committed to promoting and participating in emergency preparedness training programs (CPR, First Aid, AED, CERT) so that we as a Nation will be better prepared for any type of natural, manmade or day to day emergency.

What is Athletes for America's creed on using athletic talents for humanity?

Athletes for America's creed emphasizes that athletes should be remembered not just for their achievements, but for using their God-given talents to contribute positively to humanity. The creed states: “In the course of an athlete’s lifetime, we should hope and pray that not only will we be remembered for our athletic achievements, but more importantly for how we used our GOD given talents to give something good back to humanity.”

What is Athletes for America's motto: Protect, Serve, Educate, Make a Difference?

Protect 🇺🇸 Serve 🇺🇸 Educate 🇺🇸 Make a Difference

MISSION STATEMENT

“To utilize the strength of our Athletes and the power of the American sports system and media to help educate millions of Americans on how each one of us can become better prepared and trained for any type of natural, manmade or day to day emergency.”

When seconds matter, preparation saves lives

Every day, ordinary moments can turn extraordinary in an instant. A crisis. An emergency. A life hanging in the balance.
The question isn’t if you’ll face one —it’s whether you’ll be ready.

Born from the heartbreak of September 11th, Athletes for America has spent 25 years turning that question into action. We harness the discipline, courage, and competitive spirit of America’s athletes — channeling the power of sport into something greater than any game: the ability to save a life.

Through world-class training and education, we prepare young men and women to rise in any emergency — calm, capable, and ready to act when it matters most. One moment we can change everything. One person can too.

AFA Wall of Fame

ATHLETES FOR AMERICA

SAVE A LIFE…CHANGE THE WORLD!

Ryder Williams did just that on Saturday July 25, 2026 in Santa Cruz, California. He is a shining example of who and what AFA is all about!
Imagine if every athlete in America was trained and prepared to SAVE A LIFE how much safer our country would be!
Thank you, Ryder for your life-saving service!

Protect ★ Serve ★ Educate ★ Make A Difference

THE AFA STORY
2001-2026

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Virtual Magazine

AFA Training Gallery

America's Largest 9/11 Pickleball Charity Event

2026
Pickle Rage
Fort Myers, Florida

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Generosity is the Beginning of Everything

How does Athletes for America create miracles by saving lives and empowering athletes?

ATHLETES FOR AMERICA is committed to saving lives, empowering athletes, and building a stronger nation — one community at a time.

Pillar 1
Donate Life-Saving Equipment

Provide free AEDs and other critical life-saving equipment to high schools and recreational facilities nationwide, ensuring every community has the tools to respond in an emergency.

Pillar 2
Prepare, Educate, Train

Equip high school, collegiate, and professional athletes with the knowledge and skills to save a life — through CPR training, AED certification, and emergency response education.

Pillar 3
Build a National Athlete Responder Network

Create a nationwide network of trained athletes committed to assisting America’s first responders during local, regional, and national emergencies — with on-campus “First Responder” programs built into high school and college athletic programs.

Pillar 4
Advance Life-Saving Legislation

Champion state-by-state legislation requiring every high school and collegiate athlete to be trained in CPR and AED use — making life-saving skills a standard part of athletic participation across the country.

Pillar 5
Celebrate Athletes Making a Difference

Shine a national spotlight on the best athletes — young and old — who are going beyond the game to serve their communities, their states, and their country.