A rollover crash on the side an Oregon desert road left Alan and Margaret Hardman stuck inside their vehicle. The Boise Black Knights youth football team had just won a football league tournament in San Jose, California. They were on their way back to Idaho when they came upon the crash and they immediately jumped into action.
"We had to lift the car up in order for her to get up and so a bunch of us started pushing on the car and it tilted up and she just basically just crawled out," said Garrett Peterson, Boise Black Knights.
Nine months later, Senator Crapo is presenting them with the Spirit of Idaho Award for their bravery.
"My heart is just swelling. I'm so proud of them and so happy for them," said Margaret Hardman.
"I just thought it was something that anybody would do. I think any human being would have done the same thing, but now I think it was easier done with all of us guys," said Peterson.
The team and the couple they rescued were reunited again.
"I think they've all grown six inches or so. I mean I've noticed that some of their jerseys don't even fit them anymore. Ya, so you can tell that they've grown and they've got a good spirit about them. I don't think anything would be different if the same group came upon any situation like that. I mean they'd jump out and get right after it," said Alan Hardman.
The couple says they will always be grateful.
"I don't know any group that deserves this more. They jumped right in and did what they needed to do without any prompting. I mean, it's like it was ingrained in them, what to do and how to do it. You could tell it was off the cuff and they weren't rehearsed or anything, but they were acting on what they should do," said Alan Hardman.
"They'll always be a part of the Black Knights family so it definitely brings a lot of love," said Peterson.
