HERO: Army Football Player Rescues Stranger From Burning Car

A sophomore football player at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point joined his father in heroically rescuing a man from a burning car just before it became engulfed in flames.

The courageous actions of Army football safety Larry Pickett Jr. and his father Larry Pickett Sr. were caught on video as they seized the driver of the car — which was near downed power lines — and carried him away.

“At one point, a woman could be heard screaming: ‘Larry! Come on! Come on! Get him out!’” ESPN reported.

The car smashed into a utility pole in Fort Montgomery, New York, roughly four miles from West Point on Sunday. Pickett Jr. was driving back to the West Point campus with his dad and his sister, Lauren, after having dinner in Manhattan. Lauren took the video of her brother and father pulling the man to safety.

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

“There was no discussion. My son just jumped right into action,” Larry Pickett Sr. told WTVD-TV. “He mentioned his military training kicked in, and we pulled him out. He took care of him on the side of the road until the police officers got there. And then the fire department got there shortly after.”

“It’s just amazing to see him in action. And it’s just not surprising because we’ve watched him his whole life do amazing things,” he added.

“We’re proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr, a second-year cadet &  @ArmyWP_Football  player, & his father who are seen pulling a driver to safety in a video online taken by the family. Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy  Values,” the U.S. Military Academy wrote on X.

We’re proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr, a second-year cadet & @ArmyWP_Football player, & his father who are seen pulling a driver to safety in a video online taken by the family. Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy Values. pic.twitter.com/dlccTMwonT

— U.S. Military Academy at West Point (@WestPoint_USMA) September 1, 2025

Army Athletic Director Tom Theodorakis echoed, “This is exactly what we strive to develop at  @WestPoint_USMA & @GoArmyWestPoint — leadership, courage, and selfless service. Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. and his father exemplify the values we hold dear, stepping up in a moment of crisis to save a life. Proud to see these traits in action, on and off the fields of friendly strife. Count the brave.”

This is exactly what we strive to develop at @WestPoint_USMA & @GoArmyWestPoint – leadership, courage, and selfless service.

Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. and his father exemplify the values we hold dear, stepping up in a moment of crisis to save a life. Proud to see these traits in… https://t.co/6IyMefpkkp

— Tom Theodorakis (@TT_Army_AD) September 1, 2025