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Boy Injured in Philly Plane Crash Wakes Up, Asks If He Missed Super Bowl


The Philadelphia Eagles fandom runs so deep that a 10-year-old boy who required emergency surgery following the plane crash in Philadelphia asked about the Super Bowl when he woke up.

Kristen Domico, the director at Andre Howard III’s school, told local news station Fox 29 that her student wanted to know if his sister was OK and if he missed the big game.

The Context

A Learjet 55 crashed in northeast Philadelphia around 6:30 p.m. ET on January 31. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the jet was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before heading to Mexico. All six people on the medical flight were killed, as well as one person, who was in their car at the time of the crash.

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles are vying to secure the franchise’s second Super Bowl win against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What To Know

Andre was in a car with his father and siblings when the plane crashed near the Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia. He was struck in the head by metal as he shielded his 4-year-old sister from the debris.

Local news station 6 ABC reported that a bystander on the street took off his shirt and applied pressure to Andre’s head. Philadelphia Police took Andre to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Doctors initially told Andre’s family that the boy would never walk again.

Andre Howard III
Andre Howard III in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey

X/MLFootball

The 10-year-old was transported to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and reportedly made “strides overnight.” His family is reporting that Andre is expected to survive his injuries.

“He wanted to know if he missed the Super Bowl,” Domico told Fox 29. “He was really concerned about that—how was his sister, and ‘did I miss the Super Bowl?'”

Andre’s father, Andre Howard Jr., told outlets that his son first asked, “Daddy, did I save my sister?”

After confirming that his sister was fine, he asked what day it was. When Howard responded Monday, the 10-year-old asked, “We didn’t play yesterday, did we?”

Howard said, “No, you didn’t miss the Super Bowl.”

Andre’s mother, LaShawn Hamiel, said on a GoFundMe page created to help with the child’s medical care expenses that he has a “long and difficult road to recovery” that will include “surgeries, therapy, and ongoing treatment.”

“Andre is a kind, loving child with a bright future. This tragedy has shaken our family and the community, but with your help, we can focus on what matters most: helping Andre heal and thrive,” the GoFundMe reads.

At the time of writing, the family has raised over $64,000 from around 1,600 donations.

AJ Brown, a wide receiver for the Eagles, posted on X, formerly Twitter, wishing Andre a “speedy recovery.”

“You are a Hero young man!” Brown posted. “I’m going to come see you when I get back. Hopefully with some hardware. Playing for you on Sunday my man.”

The Eagles Support Victim in New Orleans Attack

The Philadelphia Eagles posted a video to TikTok of Ryan Quigley, one of the victims who was injured in the vehicular attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans.

Quigley was longtime friends with Tiger Bech, one of the people who died in the attack on Bourbon Street. The two were the Princeton University football team teammates and Eagles fans.

Brandon Graham, the defensive end for the Eagles, is seen in the video with Quigley at Lincoln Financial Fields. Graham assured Quigley that “it’s OK if you’re not feeling it” but that the team invited him to the Super Bowl.

Quigley told Graham that “all year after every win,” he had told Bech that they would go together if the team made it to the Super Bowl.

“I’d love nothing more than that,” Quigley said. “I’m going to make sure he’s there with us.”

What Happens Next

The Philadelphia Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Super Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET in New Orleans and will air on Fox.





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