Ex-college WR catches child thrown from burning building
Warning: Video contains sensitive content
A former college football player was captured on video catching a 3-year-old boy thrown from the balcony of a burning third-floor apartment in Phoenix.
Phillip Blanks, who played wide receiver at Saddleback College in Southern California from 2016-17 and also served in the U.S. Marines, told ABC7.com that he was at home July 3 when he heard a commotion outside. After hearing someone yell that there was a fire, he ran out to help.
"Instinct. There wasn't much thinking. I just reacted. I just did it," the 28-year-old Blanks said. "I know how to catch. I've learned how to catch a football. So I'll give some credit to football."
LIFESAVING CATCH: Eyewitness video shows Phillip Blanks – a former college wide receiver – sprint to the scene of a third-floor apartment fire in Phoenix before catching a small child thrown from a balcony; the mother of the child did not survive. https://t.co/CyIuiva87p pic.twitter.com/egzOxE5bFr
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) July 7, 2020
Tragically, the boy's mother died in the fire.
"She's the real hero of the story," Blanks said. "Because she made the ultimate sacrifice to save her children."
HEADLINES
- USA eliminates Canada to set up WBC semifinal vs. Dominican
- Edwards' 42 points lead T-Wolves to win against undermanned Warriors
- Ducks' Gudas suspended 5 games for kneeing Matthews
- Dominicans dominate Korea with mercy-rule win to reach WBC semis
- Athletics hit 3 HRs on 3 straight pitches in spring action