Rams special-teams coach John Fassel helped save man from drowning

St. Louis Rams special-teams coach John Fassel was boogie-boarding in California last week when he and another surfer notice a man flailing helplessly in the Pacific Ocean. That’s when they took action.

Fassel and the man, Jim Burton, swam over to the unknown swimmer to assist. They never found out his name — and he didn’t speak English — but helped him from going under, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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Fassel told Schefter the drowning man was gasping, splashing and panicking and that his eyes were “rolling into the back of his head.” Fassel believed that the man would have gone under in 20-30 seconds had they not gotten to him when he and Burton did.

Fassel, the son of former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel, has been the Rams’ special-teams coach since 2012 and has spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders. He’s considered a bright, up-and-coming coach with head-coaching potential down the road.

The near-drowning happened on the final day of his vacation prior to the Rams reporting to training camp. He credited Burton, nearby lifeguards and the Manhattan Beach Fire Department paramedics for helping save the man. The paramedics helped stabilize the man and determined he needed further evaluation, rushing him to a local hospital, where he reportedly was in stable condition.

“[I]t all happened so fast,” Fassel said. “It was seriously amazing how fast [lifeguards and paramedics] got on the scene. When we got him in, and he had the help he needed, we were high-fiving and celebrating.”

A truly special effort by all to save a man’s life. Kudos to all involved.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm