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Eagles Future Prospect Hailed as Hero After Saving Man From Burning Car

Fort Montgomery, NY –  A football player’s courage off the field is earning national attention—and capturing the hearts of Eagles fans. Larry Pickett Jr., a 20-year-old Army safety and lifelong Philadelphia supporter, risked his life to pull a driver from a burning vehicle after a crash in upstate New York.

The dramatic rescue happened when a car slammed into a utility pole, sparking live power lines and igniting flames. Without hesitation, Pickett Jr. sprinted toward the wreck and dragged the trapped driver to safety just moments before the car was completely engulfed.

Army football player, father rescue man from car wreck moments before  disaster | Fox News

His father, who filmed the moment, said there was no discussion: his son acted on instinct. “It’s just who he is—always running toward danger to help others,” he told reporters. The video quickly went viral, with fans praising Pickett Jr. for his bravery.

Beyond the heroism, what excites Philadelphia is who he is. Pickett Jr., nephew of former Steelers star Ike Taylor, is already on the radar as a future NFL talent. Scouts have noted his size, speed, and instincts as the foundation of a potential pro career.

And he’s never hidden where his heart lies. A lifelong fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Pickett Jr. has spoken openly about his dream of one day wearing midnight green. For him, Sunday’s act of bravery was another example of the relentless mentality he’s carried since childhood.

Larry Pickett Jr. | Army football player, NC native who attends West Point  talks about saving man from fiery car wreck in NY - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham

“I’ve been an Eagles fan my whole life. Playing in Philly has always been the dream,” Pickett Jr. said after the rescue. “But whether it’s football or life, I just want to be someone who steps up when it matters most.”

For Eagles Nation, his story is more than just a viral headline. It’s a reminder that the team’s future might one day include a player whose toughness extends far beyond the gridiron—and whose loyalty to Philadelphia runs deep.

Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!