On August 23, 2023, former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Glenn Cadrez saved a man from a burning car following a dramatic accident on Interstate 15 in California. Cadrez, who was driving home after attending a pizza party for his son’s Pop Warner football game, witnessed a serious collision that would change the course of the night.
Around 21:30, Cadrez noticed a large cloud of dust from the northbound lanes. Moments later, a black BMW M4 crashed through a concrete divider and collided with an oncoming vehicle. “It happened so quick. I was like, ‘What the (heck) was that?’” Cadrez recalled. “Then it slammed into the car, maybe two seconds in front of me.” He averted disaster by remaining in the middle lane, a decision that likely saved his life.
Cadrez’s instincts kicked in as he swerved left to avoid the wreck and jumped out of his truck. Upon reaching the scene, he found a man hunched over outside a Nissan Sentra, while flames engulfed the BMW. Without hesitation, he opened the door of the burning vehicle, facing a wall of smoke and fire. “I couldn’t see really anything in the car, not even the passenger seat, just the silhouette of the driver,” he explained. Cadrez managed to pull the driver out, noting that he appeared to have a compound fracture in his leg. “I was able to get him out, and another guy showed up and we moved him away. A few seconds later, the car was fully engulfed.”
The reality of the situation struck Cadrez when his sons and their mother arrived at the scene. Initially, they feared he had been involved in the crash. Cadrez felt a mixture of relief and confusion as he saw them. “How did that car end up here, going the wrong way?” he pondered.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the young man Cadrez rescued sustained serious injuries, but he survived. Tragically, three others in the BMW—a 23-year-old woman and two teenagers aged 14 and 15—did not survive the crash. The driver of the other car also lost his life. Cadrez expressed his heartbreak upon hearing this news, as the ages of the deceased mirrored those of his own children. “It’s so sad,” he said.
In the days following the incident, Cadrez struggled with sleepless nights. He reflected on the lives lost and expressed a desire to have done more. “I wish I could have saved them. It hurts,” he admitted, acknowledging the chaos that unfolded so quickly.
His motivations were clear: “I have got kids. Everything I do is with them in mind. I would like to think if they were in trouble, someone would help them,” he stated. Cadrez’s sense of duty compelled him to act without hesitation, even as the flames threatened to engulf the vehicle. “I just wish I could have been there maybe a few seconds sooner,” he said, feeling the weight of the situation.
Cadrez, now 55 years old, played a pivotal role in the Denver Broncos Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998, serving as a key special teams member and later as a starting linebacker. His actions during the crash have drawn admiration from former teammates, who are not surprised by his bravery. “Glenn was an absolute rock star teammate. He showed us what it means to be tough and committed,” remarked former fullback Howard Griffith.
Following the incident, Cadrez reached out to Hall of Famer Steve Atwater, connecting with around 30 former teammates in a group chat. Atwater praised Cadrez, saying, “He saved a young man’s life!” Messages from colleagues emphasized Cadrez’s intelligence, athleticism, and selflessness.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Cadrez said, “I was there at the right time to do something. That’s it. There wasn’t really a thought process.” The former player, who proudly flies a Broncos flag outside his home on game days, plans to attend an alumni function in Denver this season.
Despite heroic actions, Cadrez remains humble, stating firmly, “I am not a hero. I just wanted to help. That is what it is really all about.” His response to the crisis exemplifies the character that made him a respected figure both on and off the field.