NFL players are considered nothing less than heroes by their fans. Due to them having the courage to face half a dozen, 300-pound men trained to run you into the ground. But every once in a while, players do add to these on-field accomplishments. With some daring acts off the field as well. As is the case with Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backup QB, Blaine Gabbert.
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Gabbert made himself a local hero after he and his brothers rescued 4 passengers when a helicopter made an emergency landing in a lake in Tampa Bay. The brothers were out jet skiing when Gabbert heard “a faint noise”, only to find what looked like “a crew boat” in pieces. The brothers quickly jumped into action, called 911, and helped get the passengers safely to the shore.
“I was expecting the worst-case scenario once I pulled up and realized it was a helicopter,” says Gabbert during a press conference. “I tried to get them on the Jet Skis as fast as I could just to get them out of the water because it was pretty chill yesterday on the water. You don’t want to have them in there for too long.”
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Blaine Gabbert: Backup QB takes center stage in Tampa after heroic rescue of 4
It did not take long for the people involved in the rescue, and the ones being rescued, to realize who was with them all along. As Gabbert recalls, he received a text from the Bucs’ General Manager Jason Licht about half an hour later. “Did you just … save some people from a helicopter crash?” it read. However, it seems Gabbert is not the type to seek attention.
“I honestly wanted to stay anonymous,” Gabber says. “I just thought I was doing the right thing at the right time. I’m not much of a guy to be in the limelight. Just kind of want to stay under the radar. But I just said, ‘Thankfully, you guys are okay, and glad I was there.’ The credit really goes out to Tampa PD … because they were there within five seconds. It was pretty remarkable.”
Gabbert’s actions may not have earned him a spot on the Bucs’ roster for Sunday’s division decider, but it might just help. The morale boost could be the deciding factor as they look to seal their playoff spot on Sunday, by beating the Carolina Panthers.
A win here will hand the Bucs the division title and the playoff berth, it is as simple as that. However, a loss here could prove tragic. If they lose to the Panthers, their playoff chances depend on how the last game pans out for both the Bucs and the Panthers. Expect the Bucs to make quick work of the Atlanta Falcons. However, the Panthers could do just the same with the New Orleans Saints.
Far too many numbers crowding the scene if they lose. It just seems neater to settle this on Sunday. Will the Bucs take inspiration from their brave backup QB, and give Tampa Bay another reason to celebrate? Or will Sunday only showcase just why the Bucs don’t deserve to be in the playoffs this season?
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