Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton became a real-life hero when he caught a young fan who had fallen from the bleachers after Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
The incident occurred as the Chiefs were heading back to the locker room following their narrow 30-27 victory. A victory which extended their season record to an impressive 10-1.
A young boy wearing a Nick Bolton jersey leaned too far over the edge of the stands in an eager attempt to greet the players. He lost his balance, tumbling headfirst toward the field below.
For anyone who’s been to a stadium, this isn’t a short fall – especially for the noggin.
Fortunately, Wharton, who had just finished his on-field duties with two tackles during the game, was quick on his feet.
In a display of remarkable reflexes, he caught the child mid-fall, preventing what could have been a severe injury. The moment was captured on video, which has since gone viral.
TRENDING: A young #Chiefs fan fell out of the stands and onto the field after Sunday’s game.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 26, 2024
Thankfully, KC lineman Tershawn Wharton was there to help him.
(🎥@T__Russ)
pic.twitter.com/u4u4v8qKHo
Chiefs Player Saves Child From Injury
What an effort. Maybe the Chiefs should put Wharton in on offense. After that catch, he equaled wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster’s output for the game.
We’re just glad he didn’t celebrate the catch by spiking the kid.
The incident drew widespread praise from fans and observers alike, with many on social media commending Wharton for his heroic act.
Remarks like “Thank God for Tershawn Wharton—at the right place at the right time” and “Amazing lifesaving moment by Wharton” have been common in posts about the video.
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Wharton Responds
If Wharton didn’t outright save his life, the Chiefs DT certainly prevented the child from experiencing significant injury. Plummeting head-first to the ground could have been very, very bad.
In the aftermath, Wharton spoke about the incident on The Pat McAfee Show, describing his actions as a “natural reaction.”
“I kind of grabbed him right by the back of his back and kind of pushed him into the stands a little bit more,” he said.
Wharton expressed a desire to reconnect with the young fan, stating, “I would like to reach out to him, get him out to a game, and be able to reflect with him a little bit more.”
"I would like to reach out to him, get him out to a game."
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 26, 2024
Chiefs DL Tershawn Wharton caught a kid who fell from the stands on Sunday and wants the chance to meet him 👏
(via @PatMcAfeeShow, @T__Russ) pic.twitter.com/mBunC7cZk0
The Chiefs are gearing up for their next game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday.
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