National Football League

Report: Shockey saves choking teammate

Published Aug. 30, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey's biggest play of the preseason came in the team's cafeteria, when he saved fellow tight end Ben Hartsock from choking.

According to the National Football Post, the harrowing incident happened Monday during lunch when Hartsock began to choke on a piece of pork tenderloin. He reportedly tried clearing it by drinking water but was unsuccessful, prompting another Panther to perform the Heimlich Maneuver to no avail.

That is when the veteran Shockey stepped in, using the Heimlich to clear his teammate's airway.

Hartsock's agent, Mike McCartney, described the heroics to the National Football Post.

"He started to go to the bathroom and I don't know if he collapsed, but he couldn't breathe," McCartney said. "Some new guy came and tried to give him the Heimlich. It didn't work. Then, Shockey hit him in the back pretty hard and out came the meat. The Panthers told me it was really scary.

"Ben told me, 'Shockey came over and gave me the Heimlich Maneuver and saved my life.' He was in good spirits and he's real thankful for Shockey."

The 31-year-old Shockey, a four-time Pro Bowler, is heading into his first season with the Panthers after spending three seasons with the Saints. Hartsock, 31, was also an offseason acquisition by the Panthers after spending two years with the Jets.