Protector of the Year? Former Utes star Garett Bolles goes viral helping stranded motorist
Apr 28, 2026, 9:59 AM | Updated: Apr 29, 2026, 11:13 am
Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles #72 ready for practice with the Chicago Bears at the Denver Broncos training camp at the UCHealth Training Center August 15, 2018 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
BY THE ROADSIDE — Garett Bolles is used to protecting those around him.
So when the former University of Utah star and two-time NFL All-Pro offensive tackle eyed a stranded motorist on the side of the highway, he quickly did what he does best.
The one-time Westlake High and Snow College standout got out of his car, found a jack, and helped the motorist change a tire to continue on their journey. Video of the incident, which was posted on TikTok by user @mariabrltran3, quickly went viral.
The user identified Bolles in the caption with the following, in Spanish: “Thank you to this gentleman, a player for the Denver Broncos, who helped me change my tire. He is an angel; God bless him.”
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Who is Garett Bolles?
The act of kindness is no surprise, especially for those who know Bolles.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle who just completed his ninth year with the Broncos was Denver’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2023 and 2025, and last year won the NFL Players’ Association’s Alan Page Community Award given to a player who makes a positive impact in his hometown or community.
Bolles was kicked out of his father’s home and picked up by the Freeman family, whom he credits for helping rebuild his life as he recalled in a story for LDS Living magazine. He re-affirmed his commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time, and went on to star on the offensive and defensive line at Westlake High School.
He went on to serve a two-year church mission in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and enrolled at Snow College to play football when he returned.
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After earning NJCAA first-team All-America honors in his sophomore year and helping the Badgers to a No. 2 national finish, he signed with the Utes and earned All-Pac-12 first-team status in his only season on the Hill before declaring for the NFL draft.
The Broncos made him a first-round pick, bringing the towering behemoth with a heart of gold to the Denver community with the No. 20 overall selection.
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