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Kind gesture from LSU transfer safety is going viral for all the right reasons

Tamarcus Cooley helped a family in need on his way home from practice.
ByConnor Grootenhuis|
Oct 19, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Tamarcus Cooley (15) stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Tamarcus Cooley (15) stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

LSU safety Tamarcus Cooley is going viral for all the right reasons. Cooley was on his way home from practice on Friday when he noticed a family in need. Now, he is making waves across social media after helping a stranded family in a dangerous situation on the side of the road.

He stopped along a busy Louisiana road to help Cayla Abad and her two young children of Hattiesbrug, MS. The family had suffered a blown-out tire on their family vehicle, and needed help. That's when Cooley stepped in. LSU Football shared the story to social media, which was originally posted to Abad's personal Facebook page on Friday.

Abad stated that she was able to make it to the shoulder, but cars were still speeding by too close for comfort. That's when Cooley stopped and asked if he could help.

"I was struggling and failing to loosen the lug nuts on the old tire when Tamarcus stopped and asked if he could help. He told me that he had just left football practice and was on the phone with his mom when he saw me. He said one of the reasons he stopped was because he would want someone to stop and help if it was her on the side of the road. That statement melted my heart."
Cayla Abad

After helping change the tire, Cooley stuck around and took pictures with the family. He even pulled out into traffic to allow the family to safely merge back onto the road. "This guy is a saint," Abad added in her post. "He was so kind, patient, and thoughtful."

The Tiger safety made an immediate impact in a dangerous situation, and social media is taking notice. Abad's post has garnered widespread attention on various social media outlets, gathering thousands of likes and hundreds of comments praising Cooley's act of kindness.

Hailing from Knightdale, NC, Cooley began his career at Maryland as a true freshman in 2023. He then transferred to NC State and appeared in 13 games as a redshirt freshman for the Wolfpack in 2024. In total, Cooley has 15 career appearances and nine starts under his belt, and has totaled 43 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He comes to Baton Rouge to help a revamped Tiger defense in 2025.

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