Blake Branham joined the MoWest football team in January of 2026 as a walk-on linebacker from his home state of Colorado. He and fellow MoWest student Dylan Neal are being called heroes in St. Joseph. 

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The below article is courtesy of KQTV - St. Joseph:
 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Blake Branham and Dylan Neal didn't hesitate when they saw their neighbor's home on fire earlier this month. Because of their heroic efforts, one St. Joseph man is alive today.

On Friday, Sept. 4, St. Joseph Fire Department crews put out a fire in the area of 39th and Pacific streets. Authorities told KQ2 there were no injuries in the fire, thanks to the heroic efforts of Branham and Neal.

Branham and Neal were home just a few doors down when they noticed the fire. They quickly reacted and ran toward the flames to help the man and his dog escape.

"I think Dylan will tell you, too, if we had to actually go in that house, we were willing to do it," Branham said. "That day, just because you got to be able to help people, and people need help, you know. And we've never met them or talked to them. So we didn't even know how many people live there."

Another neighbor told KQ2 they saw Branham and Neal's heroic efforts to save the man

"I don't know what we thought we were doing," Neal said. "I mean, obviously we were trying to help people, but running toward a fire -- I don't think everyone's willing to do that."

Branham and Neal said they had never met the man before, but helping others is just something they try to do.