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Most people cherish keepsakes like their first tooth or a significant award.

Tim Pendell’s most prized keepsake is, well, different.

The former Lions director of community affairs, who suffered a massive heart attack last year, is most proud of the cardiac pads that Farmington Hills EMT’s used to save his life last September.

Pendell was sure to bring them up to the podium on Tuesday night when he accepted the Ricky Sandoval Award at the 18th Annual Detroit Lions Courage House Dinner.

“I very happy to be here, but to be very honest, I’m happy to be anywhere,” Pendell said.

The Ricky Sandoval Award recognizes individuals who have made contributions both in the sports world and in the community.

Pendell’s “Big Kaboom” as he refers to it, happened in the bedroom of his home last year.

During his acceptance speech, Pendell thanked his wife Diann for being the best 911 dialer he knows, and also took the time to thank the three Farmington Hills emergency medical technicians that showed up to his house that night and saved his life.

“Within less than five minutes I had three perfect strangers hovering over me in my bedroom,” Pendell said. “Not long after they got in there my heart stopped beating.”

That’s when Pendell lifted up his cardiac pads.

“Some people save their baby teeth. Some people save their appendix. I saved my cardiac pads,” he said to cheers from the crowd.

Pendell came to the Lions in 1985 and served as the team’s senior director of community affairs for 26 years. He was in charge of Detroit Lions Charities that has risen nearly $6 million for charities in Michigan since 1990.

Pendell continues to work for the Lions part-time as a community affairs consultant, representing the organization on six non-profit boards.

Pendell is also a big advocate for the American Heart Association, for obvious reasons.