Run-stopping defender by day, heroic lifesaver by night. Yep, that’s New England Patriot, Vince Wilfork.
While others were toasting the lopsided, 45-7 Pats victory over the Indianapolis Colts Sunday in the AFC Championship, the 33-year-old former Miami Hurricane pulled a woman out of an overturned Jeep with one hand on his way home from the game. At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 325 pounds, Wilfork probably had an easier time playing superhero than he will facing the powerful Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. The woman, charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, no doubt was clueless that her savior is a run-stuffing former first-round pick in the 2004 draft, and owner of a Super Bowl ring.
Given how much social media loves stories that touch on the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, Wilfork’s jaws of life act has touched fans in a big way.
The Pats were among the first to salute their hero.
.@wilfork75 pulls woman from overturned vehicle following the AFC Championship: http://t.co/kvaN1Fw8vz pic.twitter.com/4V6XLGBJML
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 19, 2015
Local media piled on this Boston Strong moment.
Police: Good Samaritan Vince #Wilfork pulled woman out of Rt. 1 wreck #Patriots http://t.co/nP0dpsabUM
— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) January 19, 2015
#Patriots @wilfork75: Champion on-the-field and helping rescue people off-the-field: http://t.co/8Ew0Nuh0cJ pic.twitter.com/L098HPIPJ7
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) January 19, 2015
Vince Wilfork helps woman out of car after accident following AFC championship win http://t.co/XVXRNUYd33
— WEEI (@WEEI) January 19, 2015
As well as Miami media giving a shoutout to the former ‘Canes star.
Former Canes great and Pats star Vince #Wilfork rescues woman after AFC Champ. game last night http://t.co/G6gOkvvkib pic.twitter.com/bQXXQBJ4sm
— WPLG Local 10 Sports (@Local10Sports) January 19, 2015
But one (seemingly) clever fan couldn’t resist the urge to bring #DeflateGate into the picture.
https://twitter.com/JadaaaChris/status/557249150254084099
Photo via Keith Allison/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
