NFL legend JJ Watt sends one-word message to heroic Coast Guard who saved 165 people from Texas floods

NFL legend JJ Watt issued a powerful one-word message in praise of US coast guard Scott Ruskan after he helped save 165 people from the Texas flood.

Petty Officer Ruskan, 26, was called out to Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp that was housing 750 girls when the catastrophic flooding hit Central Texas on July 4.

Upon arrival, Ruskan became the sole coordinator on site, directing the entire rescue operation and coordinating triage under extreme conditions.

The 26-year-old has been labelled as a national hero for his acts near the Guadalupe River and now former NFL star Watt has thrown praise on the US coast guard.

Taking to X, Watt responded to an ABC interview with Ruskan and wrote: 'Hero' with a 'praying' emoji accompanying his message.

The caption for the initial post, which also shared Ruskan's interview, read: 'Calm. Cool. Collected. Named everyone else on his crew. 

'Said “anyone else would have done the same,” and then saved close to 200 people. A truly humble professional and hero. I hope this man gets every good thing he deserves'. 

Meanwhile, Ruskan told The New York Times that his team took off on a helicopter from Corpus Christi early on Friday to reach the camp in the San Antonio area.

What should have taken an hour turned into six as the teams navigated their way through the torrential rain and low visibility.

Once on the ground, Ruskan and his team were in a race against time to get as many people out before nightfall, working with 12 rescue helicopters to evacuate about 200 people.

Ruskan decided to stay on the ground to make more room in the helicopters, direct survivors to safety and provide emotional support.

'I had a job to do,' Ruskan said. 'All these people are looking at you terrified with a 1,000-yard stare. They want some sort of comfort, someone to save them.'

Ruskan ultimately helped lead 165 people to safety in what was his first-ever mission.

The New Jersey native enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2021 and moved to Corpus Christi after working as a KPMG accountant in the east coast, as reported by The New York Post.

Ruskan had been on call since November after completing training and spending time familiarizing himself with the Coast Guard helicopter.

Many have shared messages praising Ruskan as a hero, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

'As catastrophic floods swept through Central Texas, Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan and his Coast Guard aircrew answered the call of duty without hesitation—saving 165 lives during his first rescue mission,' the official Homeland Security account said in an X post.

'The extraordinary bravery and selfless service of Ruskan and his fellow first responders embody the very spirit of the United States Coast Guard and the best of what it means to be an American.'

More than 1,700 emergency responders, volunteers and others have traveled to the area to help in the search and rescue efforts.

The devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions.