BREAKING NEWS: Purdue Boilermakers Head Coach Ryan Walters Praised for Life-Saving Resuscitation Efforts
West Lafayette, IN – Monday, July 28, 2025
Purdue Boilermakers Head Football Coach Ryan Walters has earned nationwide praise—not for a game-winning play, but for his quick-thinking and life-saving resuscitation skills that turned a potential tragedy into a story of heroism.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred late Sunday afternoon during a youth football camp hosted at Ross–Ade Stadium. One of the young attendees, a 14-year-old participant, suddenly collapsed on the field while performing routine drills. Chaos briefly unfolded as parents and players screamed for help. Without hesitation, Coach Walters sprinted to the boy’s side and took full control of the situation.
Utilizing his prior training in emergency CPR—something he reportedly revisits annually—Walters quickly assessed the boy’s condition, called out for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and began performing chest compressions.
“It was scary. I froze up. But Coach didn’t,” said one assistant coach. “He was calm, focused, and determined. That young boy is alive today because of him.”
Paramedics arrived minutes later and credited Walters’ intervention as crucial in keeping the boy stable until advanced care arrived. The child is currently recovering at Franciscan Health and is in stable condition, according to hospital officials.
When asked about the incident, Coach Walters remained humble: “I just did what anyone would do in that situation. I thank God I remembered my training and that help came quickly. My heart is with the boy and his family. That’s what matters most.”
University officials have since lauded Walters as a hero, and plans are underway to introduce mandatory CPR and emergency response training for all coaching staff and student-athletes across the athletics department.
In a profession often judged by wins and losses, Ryan Walters reminded the world that leadership is also about heart, instinct, and courage. For the Boilermakers, their coach just secured the most important victory
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