Raiders' Quarterback Derek Carr helps man who ran out of gas
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - In a chance encounter that left a lasting impression, Raiders' quarterback Derek Carr offered a ride to a man who ran out of gas.
It all started on Tassajara Road, a major thoroughfare in Dublin. It was a random act of kindness from a Good Samaritan many of us know.
Dublin is a low key suburb and home to Ron Reeser who drove to get some gas and became stranded.
"This light at Orchard and Tassajara turned green and my car just instantly stopped," says Reeser. A man in a black SUV pulled up next to him.
"He stuck his head out the window and said hey is everything okay?
At that point I was going to get my gas can and I said I ran out of gas. He said why don't you hop in the car. I'm going to get some gas," says Reeser.
It was only a half mile to the gas station. The two talked about their careers.
"I'm a music producer and I'm a DJ. I've been doing it a while. I asked him where he was from. He had an accent. He said I'm from Texas. I said okay cool. He said he lived in Fresno and played at Fresno State before he moved over here. I said that's pretty cool. 'What do you do?' He said 'I'm a football player'. I said 'that's great,'" says Reeser.
That's when the men pulled up to the gas station. On the ride back to Reeser's car, they continued to talk.
"What position do you play? You said you're a football player? He said I'm a quarterback. I said that's cool," says Reeser. "I said 'What string are you?' He said 'I'm first string'.
Reeser asked what his favorite team was. Carr said, "I'm a little biased 'cause I play for the Raiders."
"At that moment, I stepped back and said what's your name?" He answered, "I'm Derek Carr."
Reeser says Carr told him he wanted to be a pastor someday when he retired from football.
The quarterback made another unexpected move when they arrived back at Reeser's car.
Before parting ways, Reeser said Carr asked if there was anything he wanted to pray for. "Me being Catholic and raised that way, I said 'Sure, why not?' He put his right hand on my left shoulder. We said a prayer together. At that point, it was a little mind-blowing because I didn't expect that at all."
The two exchanged contact information. Since then, Reeser tweeted this to Carr:
"Thank you for the help and prayer today @derekcarrqb. You've restored my faith in humanity and appreciate you taking the time. #god bless. #payitforward."
Carr replied, "God bless you too. Anytime!!!! But hopefully not on the side of the road again. haha."
"It re-instilled faith in me that people can still be Good Samaritans and do nice things for people without any expectations, regardless of your stature, who you are or what you do for a living," says Reeser. He says he grew up a 49er fan but says Carr impressed him.
"You might see me sidelines at a Raiders game," says Reecer. When we asked him if he was a Raider fan before this? He replied, " I can't say I was but it's probably going to change this season."
Reeser says he's still feels like he's floating from this experience. He describes Carr as being genuine and down to earth.
When Ron Reeser was offered the ride - at first he didn't recognize Carr. That's until they started to talk about their jobs and Carr introduced himself.
Reeser also wrote the following about the exchange:
Not only was that experience surreal, I will always remember that for the rest of my life. The universe works in mysterious ways, we just have to keep the faith.
I'm a firm believer in someone's energy. And I encourage all of you to try and stay positive no matter what situation you’re going through. And most importantly pay it forward when you can.
On that note, Happy Tuesday!
I’m ready for the rest of the week and possibly just became a #Raiders fan LOL. #04 #DerekCarr #payitforward #humbled."