Putting it all on the line
In a life-or-death situation, you hope you do the right thing.
But, until you are in that position, you really just don’t know.
For Brandon Bair, who spent several years in the NFL after he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs out of the University of Oregon in 2011, it was a feeling too strong for him to ignore on a drive to work he would never forget.
As he drove to Henry’s Fork Homes in St. Anthony, Idaho, where he’s the general manager, Bair approached a railroad crossing at almost the same moment a train hit a truck and pushed it down the track, leaving a burning heap of metal.
“I had a prompting, some people call it a gut feeling, but whatever it was I felt so strongly the Lord was telling me this guy needs to be alive and there’s a purpose behind it,” Bair said. “You had to act, there wasn’t time to think. I knew I was putting my family at risk, but I felt strongly enough this was what I needed to do. I told myself my family will be OK without me.”
Former NFL defensive end Brandon Bair played college football at the University of Oregon.
The 6-foot-6 Bair ran toward the crash, first checking with the train conductors before racing to the truck and its driver.
Bair was told by the conductors not to go near the front of the truck, which was starting to burn by this point, but again, he felt too strongly not to do everything he could to help.
“The moment I got on the tracks I could hear someone, Bair said. “I could see the driver (Steven Jenson) was pinned with the steering wheel to his face. I was able to reach down and unbuckle his seatbelt. There was no way he was getting out without help due to his injuries. He was actually more concerned with what happened and how he could have avoided it. I had to kind of yell at him to get his attention.”
Just a few seconds before the cab of the truck was engulfed in flames, Bair pulled Jenson from the truck and away from any immediate danger. Jenson was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Medical Center to treat his injuries.
According to a May 6 news release from the Idaho State Police, the crash took place on East 400 North near North 2300 East in St. Anthony, Idaho, as the truck was traveling westbound, failed to yield for a train, and was hit on the passenger side.
The crash was still under investigation as of press time.
“I can credit a bunch of different things, but to be honest anyone in their right state of mind in that moment would have made the same choice,” Bair said. “I feel like who you choose to be in life will help you later on. I have a whole new level of respect for first responders and what they deal with every day. We were working within a matter of seconds. Looking at that truck, there’s no way he (Jenson) should be alive, but I believe there’s a purpose for his life, and I’m excited to see what he’s going to do.”
Thankful for the opportunity to build a relationship with the man whose life he saved, Bair admitted even though the rescue was a success he’s had his own struggles following the incident, particularly in the immediate aftermath.
“I think I was having a harder time emotionally than he (Jenson) was,” Bair said. “After it all happened and I got back into my car and spoke to my wife, it really hit me. It’s been a really emotional experience for me.”
As they recover physically, emotionally and mentally, the men are quickly building a bond that will continue for the foreseeable future, Bair said.
“I have already spoken to him in the hospital and am getting to know him and his family,” Bair said. “Never once through this whole ordeal did he say anything about himself. He was more concerned about if he let anyone down. I think that shows the type of person he is. I’m sure I will know him for the rest of my life.” LL