Chiefs DL Praised for Heroically Catching Young Fan Who Fell Out of Stands

Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton recorded two tackles in his team's narrow victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. But his most important play came as he was walking off the field.

As the players headed to the locker room, a young Chiefs fan leaned over the railing of the stands to greet them. He then suddenly went head over heels in a video captured by another bystander. Wharton apparently was standing right underneath him and managed to catch the child before he was seriously hurt. Wharton then lifted him back up to climb into the stands and return to his family.

A defensive lineman made the most important catch of the week pic.twitter.com/LqVDTRhWj8
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) November 26, 2024

Wharton's heroic act was widely praised by fans.

Damn lil dude lol. Good for the Turk being there.
— RJones (@raging6907) November 26, 2024

Turk is a good man.
— Justin Moody (@dirt4huntmore) November 26, 2024

Not all Heroes wear capes! Some wear Chiefs gear! Thank you for protecting that kid from a bad fall Tershawn! #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/6sW91kuHfs
— KC_Crane (@crane_chiefs25) November 26, 2024

Turk is the man dude , career year on and off the field https://t.co/mnDO82kIEB
— ManMythLegend (@Win_Where) November 25, 2024

Thank God 98 was paying attention at the time https://t.co/hP4JZ7umOD
— Aaron Bell (@abellboys) November 25, 2024

@TershawnWharton out here saving lives!#Chiefs https://t.co/lN5V687vmw
— Andrew Lee (@Adleenp87) November 26, 2024

Turk a real life super hero https://t.co/BEWkV9NigA
— Keaton (@kjonesy1587) November 25, 2024

Wharton signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi S&T in 2020. In 11 games this season he has 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks; the latter mark is already a career-high for the fourth-year lineman with six games to go.

This was a frightening situation that could have turned out far worse if not for the quick reaction and instincts of Wharton.