Mark Andrews releases statement after helping save passenger on his flight

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews didn’t seek the spotlight when he helped save a woman’s life while on a flight to Phoenix. Once details of his actions went viral, the NFL star deflected attention to the “real heroes.”

Andrews released a statement Thursday afternoon. It was shared widely by the Ravens social media team. Andrews said: “In addition to the fast-acting flight attendants, the real heroes are the nurse and doctor who also happened to be on the plane. Thankfully, they were able to provide the woman the quick assistance she needed.”

Statement from TE @Mandrews_81. pic.twitter.com/fkWsUzIUBB

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 1, 2024

So what happened? Andrew Springs, a passenger on the Southwest flight from Baltimore to Phoenix, shared his observations on his own social media account. Unlike Andrews, Springs wanted everyone to know how the Ravens tight end stepped in to help. He tagged multiple media personalities when he posted on X:

“A woman on my Southwest flight from Baltimore to Phoenix this morning had a mid-flight medical emergency,” Springs wrote. “The doctor and nurse attending to her couldn’t find a strong pulse, her blood pressure was extremely low, and required oxygen to breathe. It was genuinely scary.”

Ravens tight end offered his own diabetic testing kit

Springs said a man sitting in an aisle seat stood up and asked if the woman’s blood sugar was under control. He offered the doctor and nurse a diabetic testing kit.

And then Springs continued to laud the Ravens tight end. “As he has done his whole career, he stepped up in a huge moment when people needed him most. Watching complete strangers spring into action to help save someone’s life is truly amazing.”

Southwest Airlines confirmed to reporters that the incident happened. The airline spokesperson said paramedics met the plane when it landed in Phoenix. However, the airline offered no other details.

“Because of customer privacy policies we are not able to share additional details, though as always, we are appreciative of the efforts of our crew, medical personnel, and fellow customers who assist others during these inflight situations,” the airline said in a statement.

Andrews is the son of a doctor. And he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was in elementary school. So he’s been monitoring his own blood sugar for years. But the medical condition didn’t impact his athletic career. Andrews was a unanimous All-American with the Oklahoma Sooners. The Ravens selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s already made three Pro Bowls. And in 2021, he was first-team All Pro after he caught 107 passes.

Then on Thursday, he helped save a life.