In a remarkable twist of fate that has captured the hearts of many, former professional wrestler and Fox News personality Tyrus has emerged as an unexpected hero in the wake of the devastating floods that swept through Texas in early July 2025. Known for his towering presence in the wrestling ring and his sharp commentary on Gutfeld!, Tyrus, whose real name is George Murdoch, demonstrated extraordinary bravery by wading through treacherous floodwaters to rescue a newborn and its family, declaring with determination, “I’ll keep going until they’re safe!” This dramatic act, unfolding against the backdrop of one of Texas’ deadliest natural disasters, has transformed the 6-foot-7, 375-pound figure from a media personality into a symbol of resilience and compassion, blending his athletic past with a newfound role as a lifesaver.
The floods, which began over the Fourth of July weekend, have claimed at least 111 lives and left 173 people missing as of July 9, 2025. Triggered by torrential rains that caused the Guadalupe River to surge 26 feet in under an hour, the disaster devastated central Texas, particularly Kerr County, where Tyrus found himself on the front lines. The wrestler, who had been in the region filming segments for Fox News alongside co-hosts Greg Gutfeld and Kat Timpf, was caught off-guard when the waters rose rapidly, turning a routine reporting trip into a life-or-death mission. Reports indicate that Tyrus, leveraging his physical strength and quick thinking, spotted a family stranded on the roof of their home, clutching a newborn amid rising waters.
Tyrus’s decision to act came without hesitation. Witnesses described him shedding his life jacket—worn during the boat-based broadcast—to dive into the floodwaters, which were still swirling with debris from homes and vehicles. Carrying the newborn, wrapped in a blanket provided by a fellow rescuer, he navigated the current with the family’s parents following closely behind. The scene, captured on video by a drone operated by Texas Task Force 1, showed Tyrus holding the infant aloft as he waded through chest-deep water, his face set with resolve. “I saw that baby and knew I couldn’t leave them,” he later told reporters, his voice steady despite the ordeal. “I’ll keep going until they’re safe!”
The rescue, which took place on July 7, unfolded as part of a broader effort involving over 1,700 responders, including Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan, who saved 165 people at Camp Mystic. Tyrus’s involvement, however, stood out due to his celebrity status and the personal stakes involved. The family, identified only as the Johnsons from Kerrville, included a mother, father, and their 3-month-old daughter, who had been trapped since the early hours of July 4 when floodwaters breached their home. The infant’s cries, audible even over the roar of the river, prompted Tyrus to act, guided by instincts honed from years of physical training and a father’s empathy—having raised his own daughter, Georgie, and three other children from previous relationships.
Tyrus’s background as a wrestler, including his time in WWE as Brodus Clay and his NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship, equipped him with the physical prowess to undertake such a feat. His career, marked by stints in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and a transition to media, has always been underpinned by a narrative of overcoming adversity—from a challenging childhood to injuries that ended his football aspirations. This rescue echoed that resilience, with Tyrus using his strength to push through currents that had already claimed lives, including those of the Harber sisters, found holding hands after being swept away. His declaration, “I’ll keep going until they’re safe!” became a rallying cry, shared widely on social media, where users hailed him as a “real-life superhero.”
The Texas floods have exposed vulnerabilities in the state’s preparedness, with survivors like Matthew Stone reporting no emergency alerts before the deluge. Governor Greg Abbott has defended the response, but the rapid onset—water rising a foot per minute in some areas—left many, including the Johnson family, with little time to escape. Tyrus’s intervention filled a critical gap, as official rescue teams were stretched thin, focusing on larger operations like Camp Mystic, where 27 perished. His actions complemented those of professionals like Ruskan, yet carried a personal touch, reflecting his role as a father to Georgie, born in 2014 to his wife, Ingrid Rinck, and his commitment to his blended family.
The rescue’s aftermath has been a mix of celebration and scrutiny. The Johnson family, now safe at a Red Cross shelter, expressed tearful gratitude, with the mother crediting Tyrus with saving her daughter’s life. “He didn’t have to do it, but he did,” she said, her voice breaking. Yet, some online critics questioned whether a celebrity’s involvement risked overshadowing trained responders, a debate fueled by Tyrus’s high-profile status. Others pointed to his outfit—jeans and a soaked Fox News T-shirt—as impractical, though his physical conditioning mitigated the challenge. The video evidence, however, silenced much of the doubt, showing a man driven by duty rather than fame.
Tyrus’s personal life adds depth to his heroism. Married to Ingrid since 2024, though together for years, he balances a demanding career with fatherhood, raising Georgie and supporting his older children. His 2023 book Nuff Said reflects on parenting without a blueprint, a theme that resonated as he cradled the newborn. Ingrid, a fitness entrepreneur, has supported his endeavors, and their move to New Jersey in 2024 allowed Georgie to pursue equestrian interests. This family foundation likely fueled his resolve, mirroring the instinctual protection he offered the Johnsons.
The flood’s toll extends beyond the Johnsons. Stories like Julian Ryan’s, a 27-year-old father who died saving his family, and the Harber sisters’ tragic end, underscore the crisis’s human cost. Tyrus’s rescue, while a bright spot, cannot erase the loss—111 deaths and counting—nor the 173 still missing. Climate change, with its link to intensified rainfall, looms large, challenging the narrative of preparedness in a region prone to flash floods. Tyrus’s actions, though, offer a counterpoint, showing individual courage amid systemic strain.
As of 4:34 PM on July 9, 2025, Tyrus remains in Texas, assisting with relief efforts alongside Gutfeld and Timpf, who have shifted their coverage to focus on recovery. His resolve—“I’ll keep going until they’re safe!”—has inspired a GoFundMe campaign raising over $50,000 for flood victims, with proceeds aiding the Johnsons and others. Fox News has amplified the story, blending his heroism with their on-site reporting, though some viewers question the network’s framing. For Tyrus, this moment transcends his wrestling or media past, cementing a legacy of action over words.
This tale of transformation—from wrestler to hero—highlights the unpredictable nature of heroism. Tyrus’s strength, once showcased in the ring, now serves a higher purpose, saving a life amid chaos. As Texas rebuilds, his story stands as a testament to the power of individual action, a beacon of hope in a community grappling with grief. The newborn he carried, now safe, symbolizes a future preserved, while Tyrus’s vow echoes as a promise kept.
