On a tumultuous Friday night in Dallas, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert found himself amidst an unexpected test of leadership and composure. Herbert, along with “11 or 12” other players, was stranded in a broken elevator at the team hotel.
An Unexpected Ordeal
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh recounted the dramatic incident, explaining that the trapped individuals, which included Hall of Famer Dan Fouts’ wife, Jeri, were stuck without air conditioning for a grueling two hours. Dallas Fire-Rescue stepped up, removing everyone “one by one” through the ceiling panel to an adjacent elevator. Harbaugh metaphorically stated, “We dodged a bullet”—a sentiment typically reserved for avoiding injuries on the field. This time, it referred to a harrowing situation where resilience paid off.
A Shared Experience
“It’s a shared experience that brought them closer together,” Harbaugh remarked, his voice tinged with pride. Though he narrowly missed the ordeal himself, Harbaugh spoke of wishing to have been there with his players. In a humorous twist, he noted that while nearly everyone emerged sweating and shirtless, Justin Herbert was an anomaly. “Justin Herbert, his hair was a little wet, but his shirt was still dry,” Harbaugh commented, likening Herbert’s stamina to that of a beast in a jungle.
Leading by Example
With the elevator immobilized in a “blind shaft” somewhere between the third and 15th floors of The Westin hotel, Herbert’s leadership was tested. He kept the atmosphere calm, showing his mettle under pressure. “The young rookies were like, ‘Justin Herbert’s a leader, he was a rock.’ Kept everybody calm, cool, and collected,” Harbaugh shared. Even Jeri Fouts pulled the coach aside to extol Herbert’s composed demeanor.
A Proof of Will
Harbaugh praised every person who descended from that elevator, describing the event as a genuine trial of fortitude and will. “It was a test of wills,” he said, stressing the camaraderie forged in that tight, stifling space. “That’s a win. You feel good about yourself. You were challenged. It was a test of will. And you either pull through or fall apart. They pulled it together.”
In classic Harbaugh fashion, he invoked his family motto, “Who’s got it better than those guys that were on that elevator?!”
Heroes and Recognition
After all were safely back on solid ground, Harbaugh extended heartfelt gratitude, inviting the members of the Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue team to the team meal. “The Dallas Fire Department, take a deep, long bow,” Harbaugh articulated with the weight of an emotional orator. “Without them, it could have been a whole lot worse.”
This pressing predicament wasn’t just a blip in preparation for the upcoming game— it was a powerful testament to leadership, unity, and resilience. And in typical NFL fashion, it brought the players closer, setting the stage for even greater battles on the field.
