### Chiefs' Wharton Heroically Saves Falling Child, Invites Him to Game

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton has become a hero after saving a young fan who fell headfirst from the stands at Bank of America Stadium. The remarkable rescue took place right after the Chiefs clinched a 30-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Wharton, speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, expressed his desire to connect with the child he saved. “I would like to reach out to him, get him out to a game, and be able to reflect with him a little bit more, if I could,” Wharton said. Despite not having met the child yet, Wharton hopes to build a personal connection following the life-saving incident.

A video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, captured the harrowing moment. In the footage, the young fan can be seen leaning over the edge of the stands to call out to Chiefs players as they departed. Suddenly, the child lost his footing and plummeted headfirst from approximately 10 feet above the ground. The video then shows Wharton catching the child and lifting him back into the stands.

It remains unclear whether a railing failed or if the area lacked adequate fencing. Another video, seemingly recorded prior to the fall, shows a security guard trying to restrain a child while shouting, "You can't lean over here!" This raises questions about the safety measures in place at the stadium.

A stadium spokesperson emphasized their commitment to patron safety and stated that the incident would be reviewed as part of their routine post-game evaluations. CNN has reached out to the Chiefs for further comment.

Wharton described the moment as a "natural reaction." He often interacts with fans by throwing his gloves into the crowd after games. Upon hearing his name, he noticed the child falling and instinctively acted. "I just had to kind of push him into the stands a little bit to make sure he didn't hit too hard," Wharton explained. He managed to grab the child by the back and safely push him back into the stands.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism and discussion on social media. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce discussed the matter on his New Heights podcast, criticizing the apparent gap in the stadium's railing and suggesting that the child could take legal action. "What the f**k is that for?" Kelce questioned, referring to the gap. "Dude, he should f**king go to school with a neck brace on and sue the f**king Panthers. Get rich quick, kid."

CNN has also reached out to the Panthers for a response to Kelce’s comments.