In a heartwarming story that transcends team rivalries, a Detroit Lions fan’s life was saved by Chicago Bears personnel and state troopers during a dramatic medical emergency at Soldier Field. The quick thinking and swift actions of the first responders not only revived Wally Schmidt, but also gave his son, Jeremy, precious extra hours with his father, hours that he will forever cherish.
The incident unfolded on a chilly afternoon during a Chicago Bears home game against the Detroit Lions in 2014. Wally Schmidt, a lifelong Lions fan who had made the journey to Soldier Field to cheer on his team, suddenly collapsed in the stands. His heart had stopped beating. What could have been a tragic moment was met with swift and heroic action, as the stadium’s medical team and law enforcement officers responded immediately to save his life.
A Sudden Collapse
The scene in the stands was chaotic. Wally, a fixture among Lions fans at the game, was watching with his son, Jeremy, when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. The roar of the crowd faded as Jeremy, horrified, watched his father fall unconscious. Emergency medical responders quickly rushed to his side, beginning CPR immediately to try and restart his heart.
Jeremy, recalling the moment, said the situation felt surreal. “It was happening so fast. You’re not prepared for something like that,” he said. “But the way people acted without hesitation, the calmness, and the focus, it was incredible.”
Within minutes, state troopers and Bears personnel arrived on the scene. A critical part of the response was the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), a device that delivers a shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. The Bears staff member who was first on the scene didn’t hesitate. He pressed the AED button, delivering the life-saving shock that immediately revived Wally.
“It took one zap to bring him back,” Jeremy recalled, visibly emotional. “His heart stopped on the field. And then, just like that, with one shock, he was back.”
The crowd around them watched in stunned silence as medical personnel worked tirelessly, performing CPR and using the AED to revive Wally. Within moments, he regained consciousness, his heart was beating again, and he was stable enough to be taken to the hospital for further treatment.
A Life Saved Across Rival Lines
In the world of professional sports, rivalries run deep. For fans of the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, the NFC North rivalry is fierce, built on decades of competition, frustration, and pride. Yet, in this instance, the fierce rivalry between these two teams faded away in an instant. The shared humanity of the situation became the priority, and in that moment, there were no team allegiances—just a life that needed saving.
Jeremy couldn’t help but marvel at the way Bears personnel reacted in the face of such an emergency. “That guy was amazing for what he did with no hesitation,” he said. “It didn’t matter that we were Lions fans. They just acted. And they saved my dad’s life.”
It was an unexpected and remarkable show of compassion, especially considering the intense competition between the Lions and Bears. But it was also a reminder of how sports, despite their rivalries, often bring people together, especially in times of crisis. Wally Schmidt may have been cheering for the Lions that day, but the hands that saved his life were those of Bears personnel, state troopers, and emergency medical teams—all working together to ensure his survival.
The Gift of Time
Wally was rushed to the hospital, where doctors stabilized him. Thankfully, he survived the ordeal, and the heart attack was later identified as the cause of his collapse. But for Jeremy, the real gift was the extra time he was able to spend with his father.
“His heart stopped, but it was those four or five more hours that I got with him that I’ll never forget,” Jeremy said. “That was the real miracle. Time is the most precious thing, and I got those moments back with my dad because of the people who stepped in and helped.”
Jeremy was quick to point out that the timing of the incident—just as the Lions were on the verge of a playoff berth that year—was particularly poignant. “My dad was so excited about the Lions finally making the playoffs, and the fact that he got to live long enough to see that, to talk about it with me, was a blessing,” he reflected.
While the medical team’s actions undeniably saved Wally’s life, the emotional impact of the moment went beyond physical recovery. Wally and Jeremy’s relationship, already shaped by their shared love of the Lions, was deepened by the life-saving actions taken by people from a rival team. What could have been a day of tragedy became one of gratitude, love, and a sense of unity, far beyond any sports rivalry.
A Broader Message
Jeremy’s story is a reminder that, while sports often divide us into camps of rival teams, the real value lies in the human connections we forge through our passions. Wally’s experience at Soldier Field is not just a testament to the professionalism of the first responders, but also to the sense of community that transcends the competitive nature of sports.
“I think a lot of Bears fans sympathize with Lions fans,” Jeremy said, acknowledging the shared frustrations of both teams’ fanbases. “If it’s not going to be them, they root for the Lions. Because they all hate the Packers, right?”
The rivalry may always remain between the Lions and Bears, but moments like this remind us that, when it counts, we’re all part of something bigger than the game itself. Wally Schmidt’s life was saved not by a competitor’s victory, but by the compassion and quick action of those who put aside the rivalry to help a fellow human being.
As for Jeremy, the impact of that fateful day will never fade. “Those extra hours with my dad, they meant the world. That’s the true meaning of winning.”
