Tim Tebow prays with passengers after man suffers heart attack on Delta flight

Witnesses say the former NFL quarterback accompanied the family off the plane when it landed

Rich Shultz/Getty

Delta Airlines passengers witnessed a bit of off-the-field heroics by former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow when he rushed to the aide of an ailing passenger and his family mid-flight, according to accounts.

Witnesses say an elderly man on the flight began having what appeared to be heart problems, when airline crew asked if any medical professionals were on board the Atlanta-to-Phoenix flight.

“I watched strangers from all over the world and every ethnicity come to the help of this man for over an hour!” recalled Richard V Gotti, who shared his now-viral account on Facebook. “Whether it was chest compressions, starting an IV, helping breathe life into this man, or praying, everyone helped!”

“Then all of a sudden,” he added, “I observed a guy walking down the aisle. That guy was Tim Tebow.”

Mr Gotti said Tebow - who is known for his Christian faith - stood with the family of the man and led them, along with that section of the aircraft, in prayer.

“He made a stand for God in a difficult situation,” he said.

Another passenger confirmed that the former Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback was on the flight.

“It was Tim Tebow, absolutely,” one passenger identified only as Sonal told NBC News.

Delta Airlines could only confirm that a medical emergency occurred on Flight 1772.

“We can’t say enough about the Delta professionals who care for our customers every day and we are grateful to our customers who are so often quick to extend kindness and care to one another,” Brian Kruse, spokesperson for the airline, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to People magazine, Tebow walked with the family off of the plane when it landed in Phoenix, helped them with their luggage, and accompanied them to the hospital.

Tebow reportedly waited with the family until they got word that the man, in his 60s, passed away.

Representatives for Mr Tebow did not immediately respond to request for comment.