Pope’s Heroism Encouraged Many To Get Swim Lessons
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Because he jumped in the pool with his phone in his pocket, it took Leonard Pope a few days to realize news of his heroics went viral. “It’s amazing how many people have come up to me since this all happened and admitted they can’t swim either. Fully grown people! It’s crazy. There have been two drownings here in Kansas City since it happened,” Leonard Pope told ESPN in 2011.
After the incident, the former tight end began offering free swimming lessons through C.H.A.M.P, his charity foundation to benefit underprivileged youth. This isn’t the only time an NFL player saved someone from drowning, but not all of them make it out alive.
