Former NFL defensive tackle Brandon Bair honored with the Carnegie Medal for saving a man from a deadly crash

Brandon Bair is a man known to few for his career in the NFL. The former defensive tackle failed to make his mark in the sport and retire shortly after his induction into the league.

However, Brandon has been in the starlight after it was announced that he will be receiving the Carnegie Medal. Bair rescued a truck driver last year after his semi was struck by a train.

Brandon Bair receives the highest honor for civilian heroism

Brandon Bair signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted agent in 2011. During his stay in Kansas City, Bair never made it off the practice squad and was later traded to the then Oakland Raiders where he shared a similar fate. In 2013, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles who gave him a chance to try his luck on the field.

During his two-year playing career, Bair starred in 21 games and ended his career with 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 4 pass deflections. He wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl and also never won a Super Bowl but he won something that hardly any NFL player has won, a Carnegie Medal. Brave citizens in North America are honored with the Carnegie Medal “who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.”

On May 6, 2021, Brandon Bair was casually driving on a highway in St. Anthony, Idaho, when he saw a semi get hit by a train which instantly burst into flames. At once Bair stooped his car, called 911, and rushed to help the driver Steven Jenson. Bair entered partly into the wrecked vehicle and pulled out Jenson who was injured and stuck in the driver’s seat.

“Bair aided Jenson off the tracks then, with help from another man, moved Jenson farther away as the fire grew to consume the truck,” the Carnegie site wrote. “Jenson, who suffered burns to his legs and other injuries, was flown to a hospital and underwent treatment for about three weeks.” Bair is all set to receive a financial grant for his heroics by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission as reported by the Kansas City Star.

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