Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Blaine Gabbert was among a rescue party that helped save a man and his family after an emergency water landing.
Hunter Hupp and his parents were taking an aerial tour of Tampa and its beaches as part of a holiday gift on Thursday when he heard a “popping sound” over his head and his pilot had to pull off a landing in the water near Davis Islands, per Matt Cohen of the Tampa Bay Times.
The craft’s engine is understood to have failed, meaning the pilot was not going to be able to make it back to the airport. He made an emergency landing about 200 yards off David Islands and quickly began to sink.
Hupp found himself caught in seatbelts and other cables that made his exit difficult. While his parents made it out to safety, he struggled for about a minute before freeing himself. Fortunately, Hupp, his parents and the pilot were able to escape with no injuries.
According to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Gabbert, who lives on Davis Island, was one of the first to respond, making it to the helicopter via his jet ski.
Hupp said later that he had no idea an NFL QB was one of his rescuers because they only exchanged first names. When given a description of Gabbert, he said he believes it’s the man his mom was clinging to.
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“My mom said she was hoping to meet Tom Brady while we were down here,” he said. “I think she came pretty darn close.”
The 33-year-old Gabbert is playing out his 12th NFL season but has yet to play a single snap as Brady’s backup this year.
The Bucs, meanwhile, are gearing up to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and a win will see them clinch a division title for the second straight year. Gabbert will have quite an entertaining locker room story to tell while his team prepares for their important game.
