There was no doubt in the minds of linebackers Anthony Lazard, Jack Spreen and Joe Doran as they jumped in the water with one thought: Save the person in the car. 

Iowa State’s Spring Break was about four weeks ago, but four current and two former ISU football players are still being recognized for their quick instincts. These reactions saved a woman’s life. 

Lazard, Spreen and Doran along with Josh Jahlas, Spencer Benton and Matt Swoyer were in South Padre Island, Texas, for Spring Break. On the last night of their trip, they were on their hotel room’s balcony looking at Laguna Madre Bay when a car went into the water. 

“We didn’t even think about whether or not to help. It was just an instinct,” Lazard said. “Once we got down to the water, we just jumped and tried to help to the best of our abilities.”

The football players weren’t sure if a person was in the car, but they dove into the water to check. When they reached the driver’s window, they noticed a woman yelling for help. That woman was 22-year-old Luisa Maria Castro. 

The three players tried to smash the driver’s window open, but it wouldn’t break. Castro made a small hole in the front windshield, which allowed Lazard and Spreen to smash the glass to make a big enough hole to get Castro out of the car. 

Once she got out of the car and all four of them were swimming toward the shore, the car sunk to the bottom of the bay. In a less than a minute, the car sank and Castro was fortunate to have these players to help. 

“[Castro] continued to thank us up and down for our help in saving her life,” Spreen said. “We were just lucky enough to be at the right place, at the right time to help her to safety.”

Since that event happened, these six players have become a national story. The Des Moines Register broke the news April 1, and since then, Lazard and Spreen have made appearances on local television networks as well as ESPN’s Sportscenter. 

Really proud and honored to have these two leading our football program. Elite humility and Elite Character. https://t.co/ldjLGdFN4R

— Matt Campbell (@ISUMattCampbell) April 10, 2016

Lazard and Spreen said it was a cool experience being on Sportscenter, but they wish it would’ve been for sports and not this type of news. The two of them feel bad for Castro because what was a typical police report turned into a national headline sports story. 

Castro was arrested and charged for driving while intoxicated, according to the Des Moines Register and a police incident report. 

“I feel bad for her [Castro] because she has to keep repeating these events over and over in her head since it’s a national story,” Spreen said. “I mean it’s a national story so I guess there’s nothing you can do about it.”

This is what a group of heroes look like. Jumped in and saved someone from drowning in their car. God bless. pic.twitter.com/K7AqG64KtQ

— ISU WOPA (@ISUWOPA) March 17, 2016

Since this story has broke out nationally, the four current football players have had no trouble with staying up to date with football practice and academics. Lazard said he doesn’t think about the story unless asked about it because the team is focused on spring football and ending the school year successfully.

The actions that took place in Texas during Spring Break have been considered hero-like by different types of media outlets. To Lazard and Spreen, they were just at the right moment at the right time to help someone in need. 

“We were at the right place and at the right time, but we weren’t in danger, so we don’t think of it as a heroic act,” Spreen said. “We were raised to always help others in need, and she needed help at that moment.”