Close Ad

Patriots Player Rescues 71-Year-Old Woman From Vicious Assault
Photo Credit: ABC
Everyday Heroes

Patriots Player Rescues 71-Year-Old Woman From Vicious Assault

One NFL player's biggest moment came far away from the field, but counted for much more.


Foul play

Justin Herron is not your average civilian. At a hulking 6'5" and 305 pounds, he is an offensive lineman recently drafted by the New England Patriots football team.

One morning, he was training for his second season at Kiwanis Park in Tempe Arizona when he heard a woman screaming for help.

As he approached the commotion, he saw a man forcing himself on a woman in broad daylight. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"You see it in movies and TV all the time but you never think it would happen in real life until it does. In that moment, I was in shock"

- Justin Herron

His clutch play 

Herron's instincts immediately kicked in, he explained to CBSN Boston.

"I just knew that in that moment I had to go and had to put a stop to it"

- Justin Herron

Despite his adrenaline rushing, Herron was remarkably mindful of not hurting the man. 

"I'm a football player, I'm kind of big," Herron told the Arizona Republic.

"I try not to be too aggressive with people knowing I could potentially hurt somebody. I do have a loud voice. I yelled, told him to get off of her, and then yanked him off and I told him to sit down and I told him to wait until the cops come."

Meanwhile, Herron helped take the 71-year-old victim away from the scene "to begin the healing process."

Honored 

Police quickly arrived on the scene and arrested 30-year-old Kevin Caballero. He was charged with kidnapping and attempt to commit sexual assault.

In honor of his bravery, the Tempe police department awarded Herron the Outstanding Citizen certificate. 

However, Herron is quick to downplay any hero talk.

"There are so many heroes that go unnoticed on a daily basis. I was just doing what anyone else would do in that moment"

- Justin Herron

See something, do something

Herron hopes that his experience sends a clear message to everyone, and that the event reminded him of a valuable lesson he learned long before joining the Patriots.

"My parents always talked to me about it, if there's someone in need, make sure you can help them and be the best you can be."

- Justin Herron

You don't need Herron's athletic pedigree to make a difference. Instead, trust your natural instincts when it comes to stepping in and impacting others positively however you can.

More uplifting news:

Hot Stories

Why Jennifer Hudson Forgave Her Mother's Killer -- Life Stories By Goalcast

At the peak of her career, Jennifer Hudson faced a horrific family tragedy. Hudson's mother and brother were brutally attacked in their family home, and her seven-year-old nephew was kidnapped. What followed was a heart-wrenching manhunt to rescue her nephew and seek justice against the man who took her family. Hudson speaks from the heart in this video on what happened to her family and how she was able to move forward.

Celebrities
ideas and thinking

bright ideas

The 21st century has brought great new opportunities for entrepreneurs. The digital revolution has completely changed the way we live -- and the landscape for aspiring CEOs and innovators.

powerful-business-woman

Keep ReadingShow less
Entrepreneurs
Sad woman arms on face
woman crying on a beach

While life is beautiful in so many ways, it is also filled with struggles and obstacles. We can’t truly appreciate happiness without experiencing some sort of pain.

Pain is inevitable. No matter how much we try to prevent bad things from happening, life will strike. Maybe you will have to face grief, betrayal or a broken heart. These experiences can tear you down in unspeakable ways. Some of them will cause so much pain that you’ll do anything that comes to mind to avoid it or feel a bit of joy, even if just for a few seconds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Authors