Heroic Cam Cleeland

[Vinny]

Around 8:45 p.m. last Sunday, Timothy Roth's car struck a tree near the intersection of Little Mountain and Amick roads, southeast of Mount Vernon, Wash., which is about 70 miles north of Seattle. Roth's 1994 Ford Taurus became engulfed in flames. He had to be airlifted to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, where he died at around 3 a.m. the next day from burns, according to the Washington State Patrol. Roth was 22.

When Cleeland came upon the accident scene, he didn't drive by or place an emergency call from his mobile phone, as perhaps many would have. Cleeland, who is from nearby Sedro Woolley, pulled over and did unto another what he would have done unto him. Rather than wait for the Big Lake Fire Department, Cleeland attempted to fight the blaze with an extinguisher, state troopers said, and while trying to remove the car's air bag from Roth's face, he suffered another injury -- severe burns to the hands with which he makes his living.

Fortunately, Cleeland is still alive, and apparently in the days since his rescue attempt has been thinking more about Roth and his family than about himself. Rams spokesman Artis Twyman said he spoke last week with Cleeland, who is unsigned, and the tight end requested that the Rams not put out a news release and decline interviews on his behalf.

"Cam was really shaken up about it when I talked to him," Twyman said. "I tried to talk to him but I could tell he didn't want to talk about it too much or go in depth, out of respect for the family.

"He said it's something you really don't want to experience in life. It must have been really bad; I could hear him getting choked up."

A memorial service for Roth was held yesterday in Langley, Wash.

Click for entire article boston.com

[kbourda]

It's a crying shame that I have to read a message board to find out about this story. I'll bet if we was arrested with a crack pipe it would be on every 30 minutes on ESPN News! My heart goes out to the victim, his family, and Cam.

[D-ReK]

Originally Posted by kbourda

It's a crying shame that I have to read a message board to find out about this story. I'll bet if we was arrested with a crack pipe it would be on every 30 minutes on ESPN News!

so true...but then again, he said he didn't want to take credit...regardless, cleeland is still a hero...

[Porky]

Originally Posted by kbourda

It's a crying shame that I have to read a message board to find out about this story. I'll bet if we was arrested with a crack pipe it would be on every 30 minutes on ESPN News! My heart goes out to the victim, his family, and Cam.

Ditto! Although the young man involved died, that doesn't make it any less heroic what Cam did. I dare say the majority of folks would drive right by, or at most call 911. How many of us would risk life and limb to help a stranger. That car could have blown up or Cam could have been badly hurt another way. I will say a special prayer for him tonight. As to the media, you really hit the nail on the head. Had he been arrested, it would be on every newscast all day long.

[BuffSoldier]

Originally Posted by kbourda

It's a crying shame that I have to read a message board to find out about this story. I'll bet if we was arrested with a crack pipe it would be on every 30 minutes on ESPN News! My heart goes out to the victim, his family, and Cam.

Thats because they always like to tell you the bad things people do but hardly praise the good. Its just how the media is.