Captain America star Chris Evans sends message to six year old 'hero' who saved his sister from a dog attack

'Let me be the next one to tell you: pal, you’re a hero'
AFP/Getty Images
Megan C. Hills16 July 2020

Actor Chris Evans stepped back into his role as Captain America for a very special message, hailing six year old Bridger Walker who saved his four year old sister from a dog attack. In a video originally shared by Walker’s aunt Nicole Noel Walker on Instagram, Evans called Walker a “hero” and said he would be sending him an “authentic Captain America shield.”

Walker made news headlines last week when he stepped in between his sister and a German Shepherd mix, which CNN reported was charging at her. According to a statement, the dog “leaped and latched onto Bridger’s cheek” which resulted in a two hour surgery and more than 90 stitches.

His aunt shared on Instagram that after the attack, Walker said, “If someone was going to die, I thought it should be me.”

After his aunt reached out to a number of Marvel stars on Instagram, Evans responded in a message to Walker directly. His aunt shared a side by side video of Evans’ message as well as Walker (who was dressed in a Captain America costume) watching it.

Evans said, “This is a message for Bridger. Hey Bridger, Captain America here. How you doing buddy? So I read your story, I saw what you did and - I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of this over the last couple of days - but let me be the next one to tell you: pal, you’re a hero.”

Getty Images for IWC

“What you did was so brave, so selfless. Your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother, your parents must be so proud of you,” he continued.

The Marvel star added that he was going to find Walker’s address and send him an “authentic Captain America shield because pal, you deserve it.”

He urged Walker, who lives in Wyoming, to “keep being the man you are.” He said, “We need people like you. Hang in there, I know recovery might be tough but based on what I’ve seen there’s nothing that can slow you down. Bye buddy.”

Following Evans’ message, Walker appeared overwhelmed as his parents asked him how he felt about being contacted by Captain America. Sitting beside his sister, she eventually told him, “You can take [the shield] with you wherever you go!”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Walker responded.

Other Marvel stars including Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo have also responded to Walker.

Walker's family released an additional statement yesterday, saying it came as "no surprise that he stepped up to the plate in such a major way." Recounting more details of rescue, they revealed that after Walker was bitten, he immediately led his sister to a safer part of the yard where the attack happened and EMTs later arrived on the scene.

He was hailed by his doctor, Dr Jordan Greer II, who said to his parents, "I want you to know he is the bravest patient I've ever had...I really mean it."

They have since said the response to Walker's story was "both surprising and humbling" and asked that instead of donating to the family, proceeds should instead be directed to organisations such as veteran-focused charities such as Mission 22 and The Wounded Warrior Project, as well as Operation Underground Railroad which fights child sex trafficking.

"After Bridger's actions, our family has settled on a simple request: may we each actively strive to bear one another's burdens; stand up for and protect those that are weak, oppressed, or those who the world might forsake; mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need comfort, and love one another."

"May we follow Bridger's example, approach the world as a child, and bring greater peace to our own homes, communities, states and countries," the statement finished.

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