MICHIGANTOWN, Ind. (WLFI) — Some things are bigger than football for Clinton Central's starting running back Anthony Ransford.
"I think it's awesome to be able to go out and help people you don't know," said Ransford with his signature smile.
As a senior with four years of varsity experience, Ransford is used to working against the clock and making decisions under pressure. Beginning next year, he'll take those skills that he learned on that football field and apply them to saving lives.
"Football is actually a way that I'm staying in shape to become a fireman," said Ransford
He began Training two weeks ago with Johnson Township Volunteer Fire Station No. 8. Ransford recounted the experience in an interview on Saturday.
"We went into a building and they smoked up the room," said Ransford. "[The instructors said] 'Hey this is what it's gonna be like when there's a fire. You can't see anything. It's going to be pitch black. You have to be ready and be prepared for what's going to happen.'"
The first responder instinct is nothing new to the senior. Ransford has already stepped in to save someone's life, pulling a Frankfort man out of a car crash two months ago.
"There was a car crash in Frankfort," said Ransford. "A guy hit a tree. The guy was not in good shape. I immediately dialed 9-1-1. I pulled him out of his vehicle, laid him down, and just talked to him. I got a story back from the Sheriff and they said the guy is fine, he had a seziure when he was driving, and that he's lucky that I was there to be able to help."
No. 17 offered these words of advice to athletes looking beyond the playing field:
"Follow your dreams," said Ransford. "Don't think you can't do it. You don't know until you try."
Ransford will enroll at Ivy Tech next fall. After one year of the Fire Science program, he will be on the front line. He intends to stay in Indiana to stay close to family.
For now, Ransford and the Bulldogs will play Carroll on Friday night at 7pm in Michigantown.
