Robert Vela Football Coach Saves Player From Choking With Heimlich Maneuver
Pictured above: Robert Vela High School football Coach Joseph Cantu, left, and sophomore player Angel Rios.
Throughout time, the concept of a guardian angel has existed, somebody out there who watches over and protects you. We don’t necessarily know who these individuals are or when they might present themselves to us, but it is believed that they are out there watching over us.
For Robert Vela High School sophomore Angel Rios, his guardian angel just happened to be his own football coach.
It was like any other football practice; Rios suited up and made his way to the practice field. “I have this habit of chewing on my mouthpiece,” Rios explained. The defensive lineman met with his teammates to run practice plays, but as soon as he squatted down into defensive position, that’s when tragedy struck. A chunk from his mouthpiece tore off, and Rios began choking.
“My mind went completely blank, and I couldn’t breathe.” Rios said. “I remember looking at my teammates helplessly pointing at my throat. I could not breathe; I could not talk. For a second I really thought this was it,” Rios explained. “My teammates thought I needed to throw up and said to walk off the field to do so, but it didn’t take them long to realize the situation was a bit more serious. They yelled for Coach Cantu,” said Rios.
“I remember seeing Angel get into his defensive stance, and then suddenly standing up interrupting the play,” said Coach Joseph Cantu. “He looked at his teammates, and then they yelled for me with such fear. I knew something was wrong,” recalled Cantu. “When I saw Angel, he stood silent, terrified, but unable to express it. He just pointed to his throat in a panic and that’s when I knew he was choking,” said Cantu. Coach Cantu then proceeded to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on Rios.
“I arrived at the scene shortly after I heard the kids call for help,” Athletic trainer Jaime Tovar explained. “I saw Coach Cantu performing the Heimlich maneuver from a distance and knew that something terrible was happening. Thankfully, when I got there, Angel had spat up his mouthpiece,” said Tovar.
“It was such a relief. I really would like to thank God for coach. If he hadn’t been there, I’m not sure what would have happened.” Rios said.
Principal of Robert Vela High School Michele Pena took pride in her staff’s heroism. “When I received the call from Mr. Tovar it was just a frightening situation, but the fact that the nearest coach did not hesitate to save a life makes me proud as a principal,” Pena said. “Our coaches are trained for situations such as these. You hope that they do not happen, but I take immense pride in knowing that our staff is ready for it when they are.”
“I’d personally like to thank ECISD for training us for situations like these and thank our athletic trainer Jaime Tovar for enforcing mandatory additional training twice a year.” Coach Joseph Cantu said. “I’m grateful for those requirements because it not only saved a life, but it allowed Angel to continue doing what he loves doing, playing football.”