While most stories we’ve covered regarding the NFL lockout had to do with Chad Ochocinco’s off-field publicity stunts, it’s nice to mix in a genuinely good deed. This one is about Chiefs tight end Leonard Pope who saved a child’s life by diving into a swimming pool to rescue him. Here are the details from The Americus Times-Recorder via Pro Football Talk, as described by the child’s mother:
“We were attending a pool party, and [my son] Bryson was in the water with the other kids. All of a sudden, I saw Bryson going down in the water and I started screaming. Leonard was inside, and he came out of nowhere and dove into the water without any hesitation, cell phone in his pocket and all. He saved my son’s life, and I am so thankful that he was there for me and my child.”
“My prayers were answered by God when Leonard jumped in and saved my son,” said Moore. “The fact that he is normally at camp and could have been in Kansas City just proved to me that he was placed here to save my son from drowning, and I thank God that he was here. He truly lived up to his nickname “Champ” because he was truly a champion for me and my son this past weekend.”
We’ve heard stories of athletes saving people who were drowning — Nomar Garciaparra comes to mind — and it can never get old. That’s one of those split-second reactions where you don’t think but just act. And just like the mother said, the best part is this was a benefit of having him around instead of at camp with his team. This isn’t the first time we’ve written about an athlete helping out a citizen in an ordinary situation and hopefully it won’t be the last.
