Bru McCoy discusses continuing his 'Huddle for Hearts' campaign to donate AEDs

Every time Bru McCoy scores a touchdown for Tennessee this year, he’s going to be giving back to the community in the form of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). It’s all part of his “Huddle for Hearts” initiative that he’s carrying over from 2023.

McCoy was originally inspired to give AEDs, specifically, in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during a Thursday NFL game in early 2023. Seeing how an AED being on hand was critical to providing care, McCoy is using his platform — and the Volunteers offense — to get more of them to schools and youth sporting organizations that need them.

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“About a little over a year now, we started a foundation called Huddle for Hearts. And Huddle for Hearts provides AEDs to basically at risk youths or basically any other sports organization that doesn’t have access to an AED,” McCoy said on The Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday. “I kind of came up with the idea from what happened with Damar Hamlin on the field. I wanted to provide something that directly affected what I do on a day-to-day basis. So yeah, this coming year, for every touchdown I score we’ll be donating an AED subsequently.”

McCoy had the same system set up for his 2023 season — a touchdown equalling an AED given out — but a season-ending ankle injury in late September meant he only caught one touchdown on the season.

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While he hasn’t caught one yet in one game in 2024, McCoy is likely to haul in a handful of touchdowns for the Volunteers this year.

And even if the touchdowns don’t come in bunches, McCoy is still making sure to give back.

“And we still have done some stuff in the offseason, just crowdfunding and finding ways to get in the community to raise money so we can go donate some more AEDs just on top of that,” McCoy said. “Just to give as much as I can while I’m here in Tennessee.” 

McCoy spoke about his recovery from a devastating ankle injury

played less than five games during the 2023 season before suffering a season-ending injury last September.

Over the weekend, he made his comeback where he caught six passes for 89 yards as Tennessee went on to defeat Chattanooga 69-3 during the season opener. McCoy made the most of his return — which was satisfying for the veteran wideout given he missed out on playing in the Vols’ final eight games of the year.

“It’s tough. For me, personally, I had to watch a few games from a hospital bed, from a bed at home,” McCoy told Paul Finebaum on Wednesday. “It’s tough not being able to contribute the way you want to, but it’s also motivating. Once you get on the other end of it, you think back to how that felt and you’re able to kind of push yourself, just how much you care about it, and having a high care factor will take you a long way.”

During his rehab, McCoy’s grandfather, Tom Snyder, passed away in December after battling with cancer. McCoy said after the game that his highlight-reel catch on a 37-yard connection with Nico Iamaleava reminded him of a catch that he made during the last game his grandfather saw him play in.

McCoy said that he couldn’t think of anyone who would be prouder of his performance over the weekend than his grandfather.

“The impact he had on me, just growing up, just thinking about it makes me happy, because now I get to kind of live out a lot of things and he can kind of live through me,” McCoy said. “He’s always been in my heart every time I hit the field. Now, he’s just really motivated me in everything I do.”

The senior said he felt like he was home back on the field inside Neyland Stadium. It was a bit “surreal” to him, but he managed to soak in the moment and was able to make the most of it.