Vikings receiver KJ Osborn made headlines last week after rescuing a man from a burning car. On Tuesday, that man expressed his gratitude toward Osborn as well as others on the scene who aided in the rescue.
Nelson Thomas, the man who was saved, posted a photo on Twitter showing injuries on his arms and legs from the accident. Additionally, he sent a message of thanks.
“I was involved in a car accident,” Thomas wrote. “I want to thank (KJ Osborn) for being on the scene and filming my rescue. I am forever grateful to Abdulmejied Hairedin, Rita and Arthur for pulling me out of a burning vehicle, risking their own lives to save mine. Words can’t explain how grateful I am to be alive. God is truly great and he has you in his hands no matter who you are. I’m in high spirits and getting stronger.”
Osborn said afterward he wouldn’t have even been in the area at the time if not for his personal trainer moving to Texas. The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver also missed his first Uber ride, which could have missed Osborn from crossing the paths of the burning car and the man whose life he would end up saving.
KJ Osborn on Saving Man From Burning Car
Osborn later explained his perspective when he and his Uber driver, Hairedin arrived on the scene.
“Initially I started running to the fire and then I started thinking for a second. This car could blow up. We’re not sure what could happen with this vehicle,” Osborn said, via Fox News. “But my Uber driver, Abdul, we went right up to the car, he opened the passenger door. He was seeing if the driver was okay. We’re trying to see if he was alive and moving and things like that. Eventually, we’re moving toward the car. [But we walked away] from the car because we don’t know if it would bust into more flames.
“Eventually the driver was able to muster enough strength to move his upper body to the passenger seat and kind of be able to pull his arms out and ask for help. And that’s when we all went down and we were able to pull him out.”
Still worried about whether or not the car might explode, Osborn was able to pick the driver up and carry him out of harm’s way.
“Definitely a crazy situation. As I said in my post, God is real and the timing was real for all of it. I would’ve never been in Austin, Texas, had my trainer not moved down here. I missed my first Uber and I was in my second Uber. The timing of it was crazy. Happy I was able to be there.”