Kansas City Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton catches child who fell headfirst from stands, invites him to next game

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton became a hero on Sunday after catching a child who fell headfirst from the stands at Bank of America Stadium following the Chiefs’ 30-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The heart-stopping incident occurred after the game when the young fan, who was trying to get the attention of the Chiefs players as they left the field, leaned over the edge of the stands. Losing his balance, the child fell about 10 feet to the ground below. However, Wharton, who had been walking off the field with his teammates, spotted the falling child and instinctively jumped into action. He reached out and caught the child, lifting him back into the stands to safety.

A video of the incident, shared on social media, shows the child losing his grip while leaning over the stands. The footage then captures Wharton catching the child mid-fall and lifting him up to avoid injury. While the video shows the child’s fall, it is unclear whether the railing gave way or if the area where the child was leaning lacked proper safety barriers.

A second video, which appears to have been taken just before the fall, shows a security guard trying to stop the child from leaning over the edge, saying, “You can’t lean over here!” After the incident, the stadium’s spokesperson confirmed they were aware of what had happened, emphasizing that the safety and security of fans were top priorities. The spokesperson added that the situation would be reviewed as part of their post-game evaluation process.

Wharton, speaking on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, explained his actions, calling it a “natural reaction.” The 26-year-old explained that as he left the game, he had been tossing his gloves into the crowd when he heard someone call his name. That’s when he saw the child falling. “There was two security guards there. I don’t think they realized what was happening because they were looking at us,” Wharton said. He then quickly acted, “I just had to kind of, like, push him into the stands a little bit to make sure he didn’t hit too hard.” He further explained that he grabbed the child by the back and helped push him safely into the stands.

Although Wharton did not have a chance to meet the child immediately after the incident, he expressed a desire to reach out to him. “I would like to get him out to a game, and be able to reflect with him a little bit more, if I could,” Wharton said, highlighting his desire to connect with the young fan after the traumatic event.

The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with many praising Wharton’s quick thinking and actions. However, some criticism has been directed at the stadium’s safety measures. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, while discussing the event on his podcast, expressed frustration at the gap in the railing where the child fell. He questioned why such a gap existed, saying, “I don’t know who the brainiac was to cut the railing right there. You see how there’s that little gap? What the fk is that for?” Kelce also added, “Dude, he should fking go to school with a neck brace on and sue the f**king Panthers. Get rich quick, kid,” in a comment that drew attention across social media.

While Wharton’s heroic actions have received significant praise, the safety issue raised by Kelce has also led to discussions about stadium design and fan safety. The incident has prompted many to call for improvements to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The Carolina Panthers have yet to respond to Kelce’s comments, but the situation highlights the need for better safety measures in stadiums to protect fans, especially those seated near the edge of the stands.

In the aftermath of the incident, Wharton’s actions were hailed as heroic, and many fans took to social media to thank him for his quick thinking and bravery. For his part, Wharton remains humble, focusing on the well-being of the child and hoping to connect with him soon.

In the end, Sunday’s game will be remembered not just for the Chiefs’ victory but also for the quick reflexes of one of their players, who went above and beyond to ensure a young fan’s safety. Wharton’s actions reflect the sense of responsibility that athletes can have toward their fans, and his offer to connect with the child shows the compassionate side of sports.

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