Bucs QB Blaine Gabbert Saves 4 from Helicopter Crash

Blaine Gabbert, Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup quarterback is receiving high praise for speeding on his jet ski to a watery helicopter crash site and helping victims reach the shore.

Gabbert, 33, was nearby when a helicopter plunged into the waters off the coast of Davis Island in Tampa’s Hillsborough Bay at around 5 p.m. on Thursday. Gabbert and his brother saw the crash, so they immediately got their jet skis in action. respond Fox Sports reported on the efforts to aid victims.

About 200 yards offshore, the chopper crashed. Hunter Hupp was one of the accident victims. He noted that everything happened so quickly. “Let me tell you, helicopters sink really fast. We learned that rather quickly.”

The helicopter crashed, but all four passengers survived. They were left in the water and unsure what to do next. Hupp claims that Gabbert and his fellow passengers were able to get on to their jet skis just minutes after the crash to transport them to dry ground.

The jet skis typically can’t handle so many riders, but they served their purpose.

“They slowly brought us back to the shore, a sandy beach near the yacht club, and hung out for a while, were really nice,” Hupp was also added. “We exchanged pleasantries upon reaching flat ground. They were really an asset to helping us out, because we were the only ones out there for a while. It was a handshake and a hug and, ‘Thank you so much.’ They went out for a nice afternoon ride and just happened to come upon a stranded helicopter family.”

Gabbert later resisted being called a hero at a team conference.

“It was just a pretty crappy situation that turned good in the end,” Gabbert shared his thoughts with the media. “I was just right place, right time … the credit really goes out to Tampa PD, fire department, sheriff’s department because they were there within five seconds. It was pretty remarkable. It wasn’t me, just my brothers and I out having fun.”

Video: Blaine Gabbert, along with his brothers, said that they were just in time and in the right place at the right moment to rescue four people when their helicopter crashed into water near Davis Islands. pic.twitter.com/7AmUFEtdio

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 30, 2022

Hupp joked that he didn’t know that one of his rescuers had been an NFL player. “almost” met Tom Brady.

“My mom said she was hoping to meet Tom Brady while we were down here,” Hupp claimed. “I think she came pretty darn close.”

Gabbert didn’t make much of his role in helping to recover the accident victims. He didn’t mention it to anyone on the scene nor post about it on social media. Soon enough, however, the team discovered the truth and was somewhat shocked by the story.

Jason Licht, Bucs General Manager, texted Gabbert to inquire if Gabbert believed the story. Todd Bowles then gushed about it.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles talks about Blaine Gabbert’s actions to help save four people after their helicopter went into the water near Davis Islands on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/W0JsOgHL7T

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 30, 2022

Gabbert stated that Mother Nature is “undefeated” These are the kinds of situations.

“The water and Mother Nature, she’s undefeated,” He stated. “If you don’t treat the ocean with the utmost respect, in the air or on a boat, she’ll always come back to bite you. You always have to responsible, hyper-aware and know what’s going on. … I’m just glad they all made it out alive. I was just trying to do the right thing and help them out.”

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