It was a quiet March morning in Tempe, Ariz., and a retired elementary school teacher was doing what she always does: taking her daily stroll around the park. Then she felt a push in her back, and within seconds, a strange man was telling her to be quiet.
The teacher started screaming, but nobody in her peripheral vision moved to try and stop the attack.
Except Justin Herron.
On Friday, ESPN’s Ryan Hockensmith published the story of how the Patriots’ offensive lineman stopped a sexual assault this spring. It is an incredible example of selfless heroism.
“I saw her,” Herron said. “And she saw me. And... I think... I felt like when I got there... we had a moment of eye contact. And then... the situation did de-escalate quickly and then it stopped, right there and then. …”
The Wake Forest alum says he doesn’t remember running to help the woman, but he does recall pulling the attacker off of her, and throwing him onto the ground. Shortly thereafter, another bystander arrived, allowing Herron to whisk the woman away.
As police arrived at the scene, Herron stayed with the woman and comforted her until she was taken away in an ambulance. She departed with a hug.
A few days later, Herron was invited back to Tempe for an honorary ceremony, where he and the other man, Murry Rogers, saw the woman again.
More hugs were doled out.
“I wanted to take in their faces,” she said. “I didn't want to only see that man's face for the rest of my life. And now I can -- I only see Justin and Murry now when I think back on it. I will carry their faces forever.”
Herron will remember the woman forever, too.
“We've established a relationship that will never be forgotten,” he said. “Our paths will definitely cross again in some way shape or form. I don't know when that is. But it will be a wonderful reunion.”
