Football Player From Army Team Rescues Man in Car Blaze

While others screamed and stood frozen in fear, one Army football player and his father ran straight toward the flames and saved a man’s life.

Larry Pickett Jr., a sophomore safety at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and his father, Larry Pickett Sr, are being hailed as heroes after rescuing a stranger from a burning car in Fort Montgomery, New York, just outside the gates of West Point.

“Just after midnight, I watched in awe as my son ran toward a burning vehicle, ignoring the downed power lines crackling around it,” Pickett Sr. wrote in a powerful Facebook post. “With immense courage, he pulled a man to safety, saving him from a fiery fate.”

The dramatic rescue happened late Sunday night as the Pickett family was driving back to campus from dinner in Manhattan. A car had crashed into a utility pole and caught fire, surrounded by downed live wires. Rather than wait for first responders, Larry Jr. and his father took immediate action.

Footage captured by Pickett’s sister, Lauren, shows the intense moment as the father-son duo dragged the unconscious driver to safety. In the video, a woman can be heard yelling, “Larry! Come on! Come on! Get him out!”

Pickett Sr. told local news outlets there was no hesitation.

“There was no discussion. My son just jumped right into action. He mentioned his military training kicked in,” he said. “He took care of the man on the side of the road until police and fire arrived.”

The U.S. Military Academy issued a statement praising the pair for their bravery, writing on X, “Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy Values.”

Army Athletic Director Tom Theodorakis added:

“This is exactly what we strive to develop at @WestPoint_USMA leadership, courage, and selfless service. Proud to see these traits in action, on and off the field.”

In an era where courage often takes a backseat to comfort, this moment stood in sharp contrast a reminder of the grit and valor that still defines the best among us. Larry Pickett Jr. isn’t just a football player; he’s a young man trained to lead, act, and protect and when the moment came, he delivered.

Not surprisingly, the story has gone viral but unlike the shallow fame of TikTok influencers or political grandstanding in D.C., this is real heroism, born of discipline, character, and a heart for service.

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