Rams Coach Raheem Morris Helps Save Drowning Child: 'Thankful I Knew What To Do'
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris helped save a drowning child in Las Vegas this past weekend, and cited recent NFL-related tragedies as a reason for his ability to do so.
Morris was vacationing at the Encore Las Vegas with his family when he saw a young boy drowning in the hotel pool. The boy's father removed him from the pool and sought out a lifeguard. And while the lifeguard started CPR compressions, Morris offered to help before getting an automatic external defibrillator (AED).
“I’m just thankful I knew what to do,” Morris told ESPN. “You just never know when you’re going to need that stuff.”
Morris mentioned the near-tragedy involving Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin and the recent drowning death of Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett’s two-year-old daughter as recent incidents that helped increase his “awareness and preparedness” for situations like this.
“I saw people calling 911 so my first question was, where is the AED?” Morris said. “When I got back, we had a doctor on site that was able to start the compressions. I was able to hand the AED to him, get it open for him, put the pads on the child, and he ended up being OK.”
Morris cited the Rams' and the NFL's work in teaching CPR, AED and first aid training for knowing the proper protocols for his ability to contribute to the rescue.
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