Chargers' star quarterback Justin Herbert was among the "11 or 12 of our players" who were rescued from a stuck hotel elevator in Dallas on Friday night, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced following Saturday's preseason win over the Cowboys.
“You get in those situations, and it’s a test of wills,” Harbaugh said, via The Associated Press. “I was proud of each of the guys and the two women that were on that elevator. That’s a win. You feel good about yourself. You were challenged. It was a test of will, and you pull it down, or pull it in.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue assisted those who were stuck in the elevator by lifting them through ceiling panels and into an adjacent elevator.
Harbaugh told reporters he had just missed being on the elevator that got stuck, but was there to see the rescued party emerge after being trapped for two hours.
“And it was hot,” Harbaugh said. “As each person came off the elevator, sweating and some had the shirt off. Justin Herbert, his hair was a little wet. But his shirt was completely dry. That was another thing that blew me away.”
Jeri Fouts, wife of Pro Football Hall of Fame QB and Chargers analyst Dan Fouts, was also among those rescued, according to Harbaugh. They all came away impressed with Herbert's calming presence.
“Justin Herbert’s a leader. He was a rock," Harbaugh said, quoting the players. "Kept everybody calm. And everybody kept their poise.”
Dallas fire personnel were treated to the Chargers' meal room to eat following the rescue, per Harbaugh.
“Without the Dallas Fire Department, could have been a lot worse,” Harbaugh said. “Could have been a lot more hours. Who knows how it would have ended.”
Herbert and Chargers' starters did not play in Saturday's 26-19 victory over the Cowboys. The Chargers QB missed most of training camp while dealing with plantar fascia injury in his right foot, but resumed practice last week.
Los Angeles kicks off the 2024 season with a home game against the rival Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 8.