‘Hero’ kid gifted shield from Captain America after saving his sister from dog attack
Chris Evans and other Marvel actors have reached out to a 6-year-old Wyoming boy who saved his younger sister from a dog attack.
Bridger Walker, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, stood between a charging dog and his sister on July 9, saving her from what could have been a vicious attack, his aunt, Nicole Walker posted on Instagram. The young boy instead took the brunt of the attack and he needed around 90 stitches to his face, according to his aunt.
“If someone had to die, I thought it should be me,” said Bridger, who is 19 months older than his sister, his aunt said.
With Bridger a fan of superheroes, Nicole Walker tagged many Marvel stars, including Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo. “We love our brave boy and want all the other superheroes to know about this latest hero who joined their ranks,” Nicole Walker said.
The Avengers assembled to congratulate Bridger, with Chris Evans reaching out to Bridger on a video message. Evans, who plays Captain America in the Marvel movies, said he will send Bridger “an authentic Captain America shield.”
“Keep being the man you are, we need people like you,” Evans said. “Hang in there, I know recovery might be tough, but based on what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s much that can slow you down.”
Bridger was wearing a Captain America costume while watching the video Evans sent, shown in a post by Bridger’s aunt. His sister by his side, Bridger appeared speechless when receiving the message from Evans.
Chris Hemsworth, who portrays Thor in the ‘Avengers,’ commented in an Instagram Stories video on how ‘brave’ Bridger is.
“You’re an absolute inspiration. Your courage is beyond belief and we are all so impressed by you,” Hemsworth said. He added that he and the other Avengers “would be honored” to have him on their team.
Actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk, commented on one of Nicole Walker’s posts and said Bridger is “more of a man than many, many I have seen or known.”
“People who put the well beings of others in front of themselves are the most heroic and thoughtful people I know,” Ruffalo said. “I truly respect and admire your courage and your heart.”
Bridger also received a message from Brie Larson, star of “Captain Marvel.” She commented that she would be sending a direct message to Bridger’s aunt.
In a follow-up Instagram post Wednesday night, Nicole Walker gave additional details about the dog attack earlier this month. She shared a post from Bridger’s parents, who said the dog leaped at Bridger and his 4-year-old sister while they were at a friend’s house.
Bridger explained, detailed in the letter, why he stepped stepped in front of his sister and later told her to run.
“I stepped to the side in front of my sister so that the dog wouldn’t get her,” he said. “I kept moving, so it couldn’t get past.”
The family has not asked for financial assistance, but they did ask people to follow in Bridger’s example in their everyday life.
“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 parents wrote.
The aunt said Bridger’s facial wounds “are looking so much better” and he is in great spirits.
This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 7:24 AM with the headline "‘Hero’ kid gifted shield from Captain America after saving his sister from dog attack."