A Tonawanda Elementary School second grader is going to the Super Bowl!
When seven-year-old Finley Schrecongost and his parents walked into the TES auditorium for an assembly Tuesday morning, they thought he was being recognized for his participation in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge.
Instead, Buffalo Bills safety and cardiac arrest survivor Damar Hamlin walked through the doors with Billy Buffalo and surprised Finley with much bigger news.
"You earned two tickets to the Super Bowl this year," Hamlin told him as students, staff and family members cheered.
Finley is one of just five students nationwide to win tickets to Super Bowl LXI, which will be played in February at SoFi Stadium in California. Last school year, Finley participated in the AHA’s Kids Heart Challenge and completed the Hands-Only CPR learning component, making him eligible for the NFL incentive prize drawing.
Hamlin, whose life was saved by CPR after suffering cardiac arrest during a Buffalo Bills game in January 2023, said teaching young people the lifesaving skill has become a personal mission.
"Dealing with sudden cardiac arrest and being able to be here today was truly because someone around me knew CPR,” Hamlin said. “To be the next generation of lifesavers, it’s very special.”
During the assembly, Finley was asked if he remembered the first thing someone should do during a cardiac emergency. Without hesitation, he answered, "Call 911."
According to Finley, learning CPR was about knowing he could make a difference.
“People could be hurt, and I could help them. It’s good to help people,” said Finley.
Finley’s father, Jeffrey Schrecongost, said helping others comes naturally to Finley.
“He has always been the helper when someone needs help, when someone needs a hand,” said Jeffrey. "The best thing I can do is teach my son to leave the world a better place than he came into it and I know that every day he does.”
Finley's dad will join him at the Super Bowl in February, a reward made possible by a lesson that could one day help save a life.
Local Media Coverage:
Tonawanda student surprised with Super Bowl tickets for learning an important lesson | wgrz.com
Video: Tonawanda Elementary student awarded two Super Bowl tickets
Tonawanda student awarded tickets to Super Bowl LXI – News 4 Buffalo