Originally published Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 12:00 AM

People in Sports | Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart has perfected new skills that may turn out to be a lifesaver on the football field — or anywhere else. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback...

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DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP

Arizona Cardinals Quarterback and American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet Member, Matt Leinart, demonstrates how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in Los Angeles Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) CADD105

LOS ANGELES — Matt Leinart has perfected new skills that may turn out to be a lifesaver on the football field — or anywhere else.

The Arizona Cardinals quarterback, hoping to raise awareness of how American Red Cross training can save lives, demonstrated CPR and the use of a defibrillator on a training dummy.

Saying he felt it was important for him to be certified since he is "a father and a teammate," Leinart added: "You never know when it can happen. In football, we've had people pass away from heatstroke or whatever, and maybe it was because there was no one to get there soon enough.

"God forbid something would happen on the football field or wherever it is. But if it does, I'm prepared."

Leinart spoke at a news conference Monday about the importance of being trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator and afterward talked about his injury-shortened 2007 campaign with the Cardinals and the upcoming season.

He pointed out that Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, among others, helps raise awareness of Red Cross training.

"If we can get our message across, help get people to learn how to do this, then we're doing our part," Leinart said.

The Associated Press

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