High-flying heroics from an NFL player were not limited to the gridiron Thursday, as Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews stepped in to assist with a medical emergency mid-flight. The Scottsdale-born player was on a Southwest flight from Baltimore to Phoenix when a woman began experiencing a serious medical episode. Swiftly responding, Andrews, who has Type 1 diabetes himself, provided his own diabetic testing kit when he noticed the unfolding crisis. His quick thinking allowed the onboard medical professionals to check the woman's blood sugar levels.
Flight attendants and healthcare workers onboard were tending to the woman with an extremely low pulse and blood pressure when Andrews, sitting nearby, understood that he could be of help. A passenger on the airplane recalled to ABC15, Andrews was actively involved in the emergency response. However, he remained humble about his role. "The real heroes are the nurse and doctor who also happened to be on the plane," he said.
Andrews, a former Desert Mountain High School football star, has had his own battles with diabetes. According to an interview cited by 12news, he was diagnosed as a child and often checks his blood sugar during football practice. This personal experience with the condition undeniably equipped him with the knowledge to assist in this emergency situation effectively.
As the plane touched down in Phoenix, medical personnel were ready to respond further to the incident. Southwest Airlines confirmed the in-flight medical emergency but kept a tight lid on details in respect of passenger privacy, stating, "We are not able to share additional details." However, they expressed gratitude for the "efforts of our Crew, medical personnel, and fellow Customers who assist others during these inflight situations," through a statement reported by ABC15. Andrews, in the midst of it all, showcased an athlete's reflex not just in sports but in a life-threatening scenario, reaffirming the humanity that persists beyond the field.
