Not all players.
Hockey players have recently made the headlines for acts of kindness like stopping to change a fan’s tire or adopting kids with cancer.
Florida Everblade forward Drew Larman joined that list when he heard the shout of a woman during his weekly grocery shopping trip at a Sweetbay Supermarket in Fort Myers, Fla. on March 3.
According to the Naples Daily News, the 25-year-old center, who had stints with both the Boston and Providence Bruins, didn’t hesitate to help her. He was checking out, but left his cell phone, keys and wallet behind to chase down a strange man after Larman realized that he had stolen Beverly Whaley‘s purse.
“I screamed and I actually said a couple of foul words,” she said. “I tried to chase him and when I did I fell flat on my face, then I just saw this young guy take off after him through the door. He looked like he had legs like a gazelle.”
The still unidentified man fled from the store with the 59-year-old woman’s purse.
“I went for a full sprint after the guy and I was yelling, ‘Hey! What are you doing?'” Larman told the Naples Daily News. “After about 50 yards I was about 20 feet away from him and he started to cut across the parking lot and he was running to a car.
“When he got to the car I realized he was just trying to get away,” the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Everblade continued. “I knew if he got the door to his car closed that would be the end of it. As he was closing the door I literally lunged in front of the door, stopped it with my arm and my leg from closing and pushed the door wide open.
“I realized that he was actually more scared of me than I was of him. He had the purse in his lap, the keys in his hand and I asked him, “What are you doing?” He said to me, “I’ve got kids.” That’s the only thing he said.”
Not wanting to risk his life further, Larman let the purse-snatcher flee and returned the bag to Whaley.
“When he handed to me I said ‘Thank you so much, you’re my hero today,'” Whaley said.
Originally, Larman chose not to share his story because he didn’t want the media attention, and he even left the scene of the crime without disclosing his information. He changed his mind to remind the community that they are in safe hands.
“That could have been someone else’s grandmother and people should be able to feel like they can be safe and know that there are people out there willing to help.”
