In the News:

NFL star comes to rescue at Surf City restaurant
By Cindy Carcamo

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Tony Gonzalez performed Heimlich maneuver on choking diner in Huntington Beach.

HUNTINGTON BEACH – Ken Hunter, a longtime San Diego Chargers fan, has a new favorite team. The 45-year-old Huntington Beach resident says he'll now root for the Kansas City Chiefs after the team's star tight end, Tony Gonzalez, came to his rescue Thursday night at a local restaurant.

"I'm a permanent member of the Tony Gonzalez fan club," Hunter said Monday.

It all began after a chunk of filet mignon somehow lodged in Hunter's throat while he was dining at Capone's Italian Restaurante on Beach Boulevard.

That's when Gonzalez, who was dining with his wife, 5-week-old daughter and brother, heard a woman scream. He turned around and saw Hunter sitting behind him, gasping for air.

"I saw a little bit of fear in his eyes," Gonzalez recalled Monday. "His eyes had a wide-eyed look, a panicked look."

Gonzalez, a Huntington Beach resident, said it felt as though the whole room got quiet and stood still right before he jumped up and got behind Hunter to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

It just took one squeeze and the steak chunk flew out.

Gonzalez said he'd never performed the Heimlich before, but had remembered what he'd learned as a youngster during health class. Gonzalez attended Huntington Beach High School.

"I'm glad I was paying attention that day," he said with a laugh. Hunter said he didn't recognize Gonzalez until he returned from cleaning himself up in the bathroom.

He said he was already in shock after choking and wondering if he was going to die, but said it was even more surprising after realizing his rescuer was an NFL star.

"I watch football closely," Hunter said. "I knew who he was. It was very cool to have someone like Tony there. I was very lucky and thankful. I'm standing here today because of Tony."

Gonzalez, who was humble about the rescue, said it was nothing special. He said he would like to believe that someone would've done the same thing for him.

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