Former NFL player Joe Andruzzi, a prolific Twitter user, made it well known that he was near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday - posting live updates as runners pounded down the home stretch.
So, when his feed went silent for several hours after the bomb blasts, fans feared for him.
When he resurfaced publicly, he emerged a hero.
A Boston Globe photographer snapped the 290-pound football player rescuing a hurt spectator - hoisting her in his arms and carrying her down the sidewalk.
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Hero: Former NFL lineman Joe Andruzzi was pictured carrying an injured woman away from the bomb blasts on Monday
To the rescue: The woman's daughters couldn't carry her to safety after she injured her leg
Andruzzi apparently heard their cries for help and scooped the woman up in her arms and carried her away
Andruzzi is a former New England Patriots offensive lineman, so he is used to protecting people on the gridiron.
And bravery runs in his family. All three of his brothers are New York firefighters who rushed to the World Trade Center after the September 11 attacks.
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Video footage from the moments after the blasts show three teenage girls trying to carry their injured mother on their backs. Panic crosses their tear-filled faces as they realize they're not strong enough to hoist her.
Suddenly, a Adruzzi can be seen running up to the woman and lifting her off her feet.
The woman's face is pained and girls, who appear to be her daughters, run behind her as Andruzzi carries her away.
Andurzzi retired from the NFL in 2006 after winning three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots and playing two seasons with the Cleveland Browns
Andruzzi and his wife were sponsoring a fundraiser for his cancer-fighting charity near the finish line of the race when the bombs went off.
Andruzzi himself has made no mention of his heroic act.
Two hours after the disaster, he tweeted that he and his wife Jen were OK.
Later he released a statement in response to numerous requests for comment:
'While I appreciate the interest in hearing our perspective on today’s horrific events, the spotlight should remain firmly on the countless individuals - first responders, medics, EMTs, runners who crossed the finish line and kept on running straight to give blood, and the countless civilians who did whatever they could to save lives,' he said.
'They were the true heroes. Our thoughts prayers go out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy.'
He declined further comment on her actions.
Aundruzzi, 37, played with the Patriots from 2000 to 2004 and won three Super Bowl rings.He retired in 2006 after playing two seasons with the Cleveland Browns