Most of us — outside of devoted NFL fans, especially those of the Buffalo Bills — never had heard of Damar Hamlin.

That was until late Monday evening. Even non-football fans likely are aware that the Buffalo safety suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle against Cincinnati during Monday Night Football. The game was one of the biggest of the season. Millions were tuned in and millions saw the startling images.

The 24-year-old Hamlin was administered CPR on the field. The scene was shocking and disturbing. Teammates and those in the stadium were shocked. Tears flowed. Words of faith murmured.

It is uncertain that Hamlin has any kind of pre-existing condition regarding a heart issue. Many believe the tackle caused his cardiac arrest. Something called commotio cordis occurs when a severe chest blow causes the heartbeat to quiver, leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

The Associated Press, quoting an expert in the field, related the condition only happens during a rare set of circumstances when a sharp hit lands directly over the heart. “At the exact wrong location at the exact wrong timing,” said Dr. Rod Passman, of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

This can happen to anyone including youth athletes in prime physical condition. In general, as the Associated Press reported, underlying heart disease is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 365,000 Americans have sudden cardiac arrest in non-hospital settings each year. Survival depends on quick CPR and shocking the heart back into a normal rhythm, as reportedly happened Monday.

As this is written, Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition, sedated and on oxygen in a Cincinnati hospital. By all accounts, he is wonderful, caring, community-minded individual. Our thoughts, like those of millions, are surely with him and his family. Say a prayer, too, if so inclined.

“The teachable moment is to learn CPR,” encouraged Dr. Mariell Jessup, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer.

She is right. And how about a quick show of hands of those who know CPR? If not, this tragedy should prompt those able to to learn CPR. It is not the difficult. The American Heart Association at heart.org has a wealth of information and resources. Local health departments and hospitals routinely provide information regarding CPR training and other heart health topics.

Two other thoughts we all should be aware of already: during times like this, sports mean absolutely nothing; and, this tragedy drives home the reality of life’s fragility. Certainly most of us take life for granted. Don’t we?