Posted on 07/07/2020 12:02:01 PM PDT by Red Badger
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 Marine who says he was “put on this earth to protect people.”
KALAMAZOO — Catching a child who was dropped from a burning building was just Phillip Blanks doing his job.
The retired U.S. Marine and former football player at Kalamazoo Central High School doesn’t want special recognition for helping save a 3-year-old boy from an apartment fire in Phoenix, Arizona. Blanks, a body guard today, said protecting others is just part of his job.
Blanks credits his training as a marine and security officer and instincts for his reaction.
“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 Friday, July 3.
The boy and an 8-year-old girl were both taken to the hospital. The children’s mother died in the fire.
The Kalamazoo native served four years in the military after completing one year at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Blanks said in an interview with MLive. Prior to college, he played four years as a wide receiver and linebacker at Kalamazoo Central.
He moved to Arizona about a year ago and currently works in executive protection, or as a body guard, he said. He was at a friend’s apartment for a workout Friday morning when he heard people yelling outside and he jumped into action, Blanks said.
“I wasn’t able to grab my shoes,” Blank said. “I ran down the stairs barefoot…”
“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 foot was injured in the fall but that his head and major organs were protected.
“His skin was melting off of his body,” Blanks said. “He was bleeding.”
Thanks for his. God bless. We sure need heroes.
Kewel dude
Thank you young sir, well done.
Great example of one who has a “servant’s heart”. God bless this Marine.
Well, I served in the US Navy from 1988-1992, and as far as I remember, my oath of enlistment didn’t have an end date.
He may no longer be active duty, just like I am no longer active duty, but he’s a marine, and I’m a sailor.
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