sports and game - In a dramatic display of heroism that exemplifies the values of both military service and athletic leadership, Army football player Larry Pickett Jr. proved that some of the most important plays happe...
n off the field. The second-year cadet's quick thinking and courage likely saved a life early Sunday morning on Route 9W in Fort Montgomery, New York.
The incident unfolded when Pickett and his family were returning to West Point after dinner in New York City. They encountered a serious accident scene where a vehicle had collided with a utility pole, creating a dangerous situation with downed power lines surrounding the crashed vehicle.
Without hesitation, Pickett, alongside his father Larry Pickett Sr., rushed to action. Video footage captured by family members shows the father-son duo working together to extract the unidentified crash victim from the vehicle. Their timing proved crucial, as the vehicle erupted in flames shortly after the rescue.
The rescue is particularly noteworthy given Pickett's recent debut on the football field. Just two days prior, the redshirt freshman from Raleigh, North Carolina, had recorded his first collegiate tackle in Army's season opener against Tarleton State.
The U.S. Military Academy quickly recognized Pickett's actions, with Athletic Director Tom Theodorakis praising how the incident exemplified the values central to West Point's mission. The rescue demonstrates the practical application of military training in civilian crisis situations.
Larry Pickett Sr. shared with media outlets that his son's military training immediately kicked in, showing how the disciplines taught at West Point translate to real-world emergency situations. After the rescue, the younger Pickett stayed with the crash victim, providing care until emergency services arrived.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dual nature of service academy athletes, who balance their athletic commitments with military training and the core values of service before self.
The incident unfolded when Pickett and his family were returning to West Point after dinner in New York City. They encountered a serious accident scene where a vehicle had collided with a utility pole, creating a dangerous situation with downed power lines surrounding the crashed vehicle.
Without hesitation, Pickett, alongside his father Larry Pickett Sr., rushed to action. Video footage captured by family members shows the father-son duo working together to extract the unidentified crash victim from the vehicle. Their timing proved crucial, as the vehicle erupted in flames shortly after the rescue.
The rescue is particularly noteworthy given Pickett's recent debut on the football field. Just two days prior, the redshirt freshman from Raleigh, North Carolina, had recorded his first collegiate tackle in Army's season opener against Tarleton State.
The U.S. Military Academy quickly recognized Pickett's actions, with Athletic Director Tom Theodorakis praising how the incident exemplified the values central to West Point's mission. The rescue demonstrates the practical application of military training in civilian crisis situations.
Larry Pickett Sr. shared with media outlets that his son's military training immediately kicked in, showing how the disciplines taught at West Point translate to real-world emergency situations. After the rescue, the younger Pickett stayed with the crash victim, providing care until emergency services arrived.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dual nature of service academy athletes, who balance their athletic commitments with military training and the core values of service before self.