Larry Pickett Jr., Army football player, saves driver from burning car

An Army football player helped save a man from a burning vehicle on Sunday morning, just days after making his college debut for the Black Knights in West Point, New York.

Larry Pickett Jr., a sophomore safety, was reportedly traveling with his family a few miles away from the U.S. Military Academy campus in Fort Montgomery, New York, when they saw a vehicle that had crashed into a utility pole.

Downed power lines created a hazardous scene, officials from the Fort Montgomery Fire Department posted on social media.

Pickett and his father, Larry Pickett Sr., lifted a man from the crashed car and carried him to safety. A video posted by the Picketts showed the vehicle catching fire moments later.

“This is more than a display of leadership; it’s a testament to the character West Point is building in him — a readiness to go into the line of fire, not just for his country, but for anyone who needs it,” the elder Pickett posted on social media. “To see that courage and selflessness in action firsthand was truly incredible.”

The younger Pickett, the nephew of former NFL cornerback Ike Taylor, has been showered with praise in the days since the crash.

“Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy values,” U.S. Military Academy officials posted on X.

We’re proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr, a second-year cadet & @ArmyWP_Football player, & his father who are seen pulling a driver to safety in a video online taken by the family. Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy Values. pic.twitter.com/dlccTMwonT

— U.S. Military Academy at West Point (@WestPoint_USMA) September 1, 2025

“This is exactly what we strive to develop … leadership, courage, and selfless service,” Tom Theodorakis, the university’s athletic director, posted on social media. “Proud to see these traits in action, on and off the fields of friendly strife. Count the brave.”

Larry Pickett Jr. recorded a single tackle during his collegiate debut in Friday’s 30-27 overtime loss to FCS Tarleton State.