Football players save toddler trapped in hot car

Ask anyone familiar with mythological creatures (or nerds who play Dungeons & Dragons): Griffons are awesome. With the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle, they can swoop in and take charge at a moment's notice.

And so it was last week when two griffons flexed their muscles to save a baby trapped inside a hot car. Of course, we are talking about Jack Long and Shane Simpson, defensive backs for the Missouri Western Griffons.

The two were driving away from football practice on Aug. 23 when they saw a woman frantically beating on the window of a car. They decided to turn around and see if they could help.

"We thought she maybe had locked her keys in the car, but then thought that was kind of an extreme thing to do for keys," said Long.

When they stopped, Teresa Gall told them she had accidentally locked her 17-month-old grandson, Liam, in the car — with the keys. It was 95 degrees that day so heat stroke was a major concern.

"I was panicked and horrified," Gall told KSHB-TV. "He was crying and getting sick, and I couldn't get to him."

She and other family members weren't able to break the window while Liam was throwing up and beginning to lose consciousness.

No problem for the 6-foot, 190-pound Simpson, who broke the window with one hammer swing. Liam was rescued from the car. He was dehydrated but otherwise fine.

The players quietly went on their way but returned to check on the toddler and his grandmother.

"They knew about heat stroke and they were worried about the little guy," Gall told Griffon Sports Insider. (See video above).

Gall offered the players money but they declined. They invited Gall to the Griffons' opening game on Sept. 1. Gall, who said she knows nothing about football, brought Liam to practice two days before the game and then she and several family members cheered for Missouri Western at the game.

"I can't imagine life without my grandson and what could have happened," Gall said. "I am eternally grateful to them."