Husker Hero Eager to See Stadium, Root for Big Red

Huskers, Hawkeyes Meet in Heroes Game

Huskers Discuss Iowa Matchup with Media

A few weeks ago, 26-year-old Geoff Bennett was adjusting as a new Army National Guard technician at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa, when he learned about something he had never even considered – becoming the 2017 Husker Hero for Nebraska’s annual Big Ten Conference football game against Iowa on Friday.

Following a brief overview of why Bennett earned such a high honor, the new “Citizen Hero” sat down in awe and asked a simple question: “Is this really true?”

The answer is a resounding yes because officials credited Bennett’s quick actions for helping to save the life of a critically injured woman when a passing vehicle struck her leg while she waited near her own broken down vehicle during a winter snowstorm in Omaha last December.

Bennett's selfless efforts also helped save the life of a man who was in a medically induced coma for weeks following the accident. He ended up losing both of his legs in the difficult and dangerous place on the highway. Bennett was so focused on those in need, he did not realize the importance of his own heroic effort. The closer he comes to seeing the stadium on a nationally televised game, the more he understands why two rivals honor their conference and the true meaning of real heroes.

Now part of the fabric for Friday’s game, Bennett officially will accept his honor during halftime at Memorial Stadium.

Having spent the first 15 years of his life living in Illinois, Bennett moved to Norfolk, Neb., in 2009. He graduated from high school there and went on to be a varsity baseball pitcher at Morningside College before joining the Army National Guard in 2011.

Bennett Was Not a Huge Husker Fan Growing Up, But He Can’t Wait to See the Stadium

“I was not a huge Husker fan growing up,” Bennett (above) told me Monday. “We lived an hour north of Chicago and were real close to the Wisconsin border. I was more into pro sports than college sports. I was a Chicago Bear fan and a Chicago Cub fan. I followed Northwestern and Wisconsin because they were so close to the border.”

Now that he understands the importance of the honor, Friday simply cannot come fast enough.

“Honestly, I’m nervous just to be there at all,” Bennett said. “In the years I lived in Nebraska, I’ve never seen a Husker game live in person. Friday is going to be my first time. I know how Iowa and Nebraska fans go back and forth. Pretty much everyone I know is going to be watching that game. It is crazy and it is going to be a great honor. To be honest, I can hardly wait to be inside of that stadium for the first time ever.”

Why is it so important? “Nebraska fans bleed red,” Bennett said. “They have the most die-hard fans I’ve ever seen in my life, even when they aren’t doing so well. It is going to be nice just to be around the atmosphere. I know how much the Bears and the Cubs mean to me, and now I finally get a chance to be in Lincoln on Game Day.”

There is another real kicker in Geoff Bennett’s inaugural visit to Memorial Stadium and be honored on Tom Osborne Field.

“I’m pulling for the Huskers, but my girlfriend and most of her family are Iowa fans,” Bennett said. “I’ll let them root for Iowa while I root for Nebraska. That way, either way, I come out a winner.”

Bottom line, “I’m just very, very honored to get inside Memorial Stadium,” Bennett said. “I can’t wait to feel the atmosphere that everybody talks about. I’m just so glad that it’s going to be a beautiful day in Lincoln.”

Regional/National Weather Forecasters Predict 70-Degree High for Friday’s Game

Local weather forecasters are predicting a 70-degree high on Friday. “We can’t wait to be there,” said Bennett, who helped save a 34-year-old woman with severe injuries to a leg that had to be amputated. 

Bennett used his belt to stop the bleeding and gave the woman his hat to keep her warm while waiting for emergency crews. Bennett stayed with the woman and her friend, a 28-year-old man, who had arrived earlier to try fixing the car. He also was badly injured. Without Bennett’s heroism during the snowstorm, both accident victims may not have received the life-saving assistance they needed.

“I was not the first person who showed up. Two or three were already there,” Bennett said. “I just saw someone waving his hands, so I stopped to help. I saw a couple people on the ground with a messed up vehicle and a bunch of groceries. I knew something had to happen at that point, so I did what had to be done. I took off my belt, got a couple other belts and made sure all three belts could help save a leg.”

Earning Secret Security Clearance in the Army, Bennett Benefited; Meet Iowa Hero 

In the sixth week of his new job in Des Moines, Bennett inspects and repairs military electronics, including radios, GPS systems and night vision goggles, fixing deficiencies and upgrading software as needed.  Before getting his new job, Bennett was a perimeter security guard at Offutt Air Base. Having earned secret security clearance in the Army, Bennett is thankful he was able to use that expertise for another job that recently opened up.    

Joining Bennett for halftime recognition at Friday’s Heroes Game is 40-year-old Iowan Jerry Goeders, who spent the last day of summer vacation with his family at Lake Rathbun in Moravia, Iowa. Goeders heard a couple screaming for help as their 8-year-old girl struggled to stay above water far from the shore. Goeders sprinted down a hill, ran across the beach and jumped into the water, swimming a long distance to reach the girl. Goeders assured her that everything would be all right during the swim back to shore. Without Goeders’ selfless, quick action and strength during the tiring swim across the lake, the outcome would have turned tragic for the child.

Goeders’ family witnessed his heroism and saw him put his own life at risk. They remind others that if they’re around anyone who doesn’t know how to swim, please encourage them to keep out of the water or wear a life jacket.

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