Mizzou fan rescues ESPN personality from choking on food
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KTVI) – ESPN personality Peter Burns credits a University of Missouri football fan for saving his life over the weekend during an unexpected emergency.
Burns, a studio analyst for ESPN and SEC Network, was dining with colleagues on Friday night ahead of Saturday's Mizzou vs. Boston College football game when he began to choke on a piece of food. He says Mizzou fan Jack Foster "saved my life" and helped him survive a scary situation.
Burns was in the middle of his meal at a Columbia restaurant when he suddenly realized something was wrong, he explained in a series of X posts.
"Immediately, I knew it was serious and motioned to our table that I couldn’t breathe," wrote Burns.
A friend at his table quickly attempted the Heimlich maneuver, but was unable to dislodge the food, Burns said. Two more people, including a nurse, also tried to help, but were unsuccessful.
Burns said he began to lose vision and feared he would black out. Then, Jack Foster, a fellow diner and youth sports coach, successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver.
"I’m thankful for him and all involved that helped saved my life that night," said Burns.
Foster later told the SEC Network crew that he recently completed training to prepare for his new season as a youth coach. Both Foster and Burns said the training was responsible for Foster's quick-thinking.
"That training is why I am here right now," said Burns.
Burns did, however, suffer four minor rib fractures, he revealed.
According to the National Safety Council, choking is a significant health risk and the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death, responsible for more than 5,500 deaths in 2022.