*Phillip Blanks, a retired U.S. Marine and former football player at Kalamazoo Central High School, has gone viral over a video showing him catching a toddler dropped from a burning building.
The heroic act occurred July 3 at an apartment building in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Ultimately, this is my job,” Blanks said. “It was all fast, it was a blur. It was tunnel vision as I was running. I didn’t see anything but the baby.”
Blanks, 28, caught the young boy who was dropped from an apartment balcony, acccording to ABC15 in Arizona. He credits his training as a marine for his quick reaction.
The boy and an 8-year-old girl were both treated for their injuries at the local hospital. Their mother died in the fire.
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Incredible video: Former @KCentral_Sports WR Phillip Blanks dives to catch a 3-year old boy dropped from a burning, 3rd floor Phoenix apartment. I just spoke to the former @USMC Marine who says he was “put on this earth to protect people”. His story tonight on @wwmtnews pic.twitter.com/Y4qDvMFEwV
— Andy Pepper (@APepperWWMT) July 6, 2020
Blanks said he was at a friend’s apartment for a workout Friday morning when he heard the chaos outside.
“I wasn’t able to grab my shoes,” he said. “I ran down the stairs barefoot,” he explained.
“As I was running, I see the baby getting ready to be tossed out of the patio,” Blanks said. “Next thing you know, he’s helicoptering in the air and I catch him.”
Blanks said the child’s “skin was melting off of his body.”
“He was bleeding,” he added.
“I would honestly like to be involved in the kids’ lives,” Blanks said, “because I know they had a traumatic experience and I know that their lives have changed forever.”
Blanks isn’t looking for attention, he simply wants to help the children.
“In this situation if I could use this platform to get these kids some help, that’d be great,” Blanks said. “I don’t need any. I don’t want any help or too much recognition for this. I just feel like I was doing my job.”
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