BOISE — “The recipients of today’s Spirit of Idaho award deserve our utmost gratitude and recognition for their quick-thinking, selfless and courageous actions,” Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said in a news conference Wednesday, honoring players and staff of the Boise Black Knights youth football team who rescued an Idaho couple from a vehicle that had rolled over.
“It is an honor to present these 21 individuals with this award. Your actions have demonstrated the nobleness and greatness found all across the state of Idaho,” Crapo told them.
In May of last year, the Boise Black Knights made national headlines after pulling a couple from a violent rollover crash on the side of an Oregon desert highway. The middle school club football team had just won the Bay Area Spring Football League Tournament of Champions in San Jose, California -- and were driving back to Idaho when they came across the crash, with the couple still trapped inside. The boys rushed into action, lifting the car to free Alan and Margaret Hardman from the vehicle.
The couple also attended the event -- to reaffirm their gratitude for the team’s actions. A total of 21 Idahoans received the “Spirit of Idaho” Award for their actions to assist the Hardmans: Robert Carlson, Ethan Castillo, Orlando Clay Jr., Orlando Clay Sr., Colin Drew, Ryan Elliot, John Elliot, Antonio Fafita, Lucas Guzman, Coach Victor Guzman, Tyson Hammock, Nicole Heaton-Muller, Grant Hilderbrand, Brad Jackson, Adam Madrill, Regan Magill, Esai Martinez, Garret Peterson, Ethan Sandoval, Coach Devin Thorp and Hank Wemhoff.
The Spirit of Idaho Award honors the acts of service by Idahoans for their commitment to improving their community and serving their fellow citizens. Crapo has presented more than 600 “Spirit of Idaho” awards since the first presentation in Twin Falls in November of 2000.
(photo courtesy: Sen. Crapo’s office)
