gettyimages-1452758207.jpg
Getty Images

Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert was among those who helped rescue four people when a helicopter crashed into a body of water near Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Gabbert came to the aid of 28-year-old Hunter Hupp, his two parents and the pilot of the helicopter. All four occupants of the helicopter were uninjured.

On Friday, Gabbert discussed the rescue with the media.

Gabbert had been riding on a jet ski around 5 p.m. when the helicopter made an emergency landing in the water due to an engine failure. The chopper was about 200 yards from Davis Islands. The helicopter proceeded to sink, with Hupp having to free himself from underneath a seatbelt and cords before the party of four began treading water.

The group had been contemplating whether to wait for help or try to swim to land when they were approached by a pair of jet skiers, one of whom was Gabbert.

"They slowly brought us back to the shore, a sandy beach near the yacht club, and hung out for a while, were really nice," Hupp told Fox Sports. "We exchanged pleasantries upon reaching flat ground. They were really an asset to helping us out, because we were the only ones out there for a while. It was a handshake and a huge and 'Thank you so much.'

"They went out for a nice afternoon ride and just happened to come upon a stranded helicopter family."

Gabbert, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has played for the Buccaneers since 2019 and currently serves as the backup to Tom Brady.