Nick Bostic receives Citizenship/Hero Award from Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nick Bostic found himself Sunday being honored alongside stellar athletes, including Purdue and professional football legends. But the Lafayette man wasn't being honored for his prowess on the gridiron.

Bostic, who rushed into a stranger's burning Lafayette home and rescued five people, including a small child, was honored at the Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana, National Football Foundation.

Bostic received the chapter’s Citizenship/Hero Award which is given to an individual who has consistently excelled in three areas paramount to the National Football Foundation — academics, athletics and service — while maintaining an exemplary record of citizenship in their school or local community.

Traditionally the award winner is either a high school, college or professional athlete, but this year, the awards committee wanted to recognize an individual whose actions exemplify the idea of being a civil hero.

On that July 11, 2022, morning, just after midnight, Bostic spotted the blaze as he drove by the Union Street home. He didn't think, not for a second, he said, about the danger. While others may contemplate what they'd do when facing a similar situation, Bostic told the Journal & Courier he always knew what he'd do — if and when.

Bostic’s story was shared with the hundreds of audience members at the banquet, in a proclamation written by Indiana State Rep. Sheila Klinker and read by Lafayette Journal & Courier executive editor Deanna Watson.

Bostic was asked to the stage to accept his proclamation, award and American Flag provided by Indiana State Sen. Ron Alting.

“This is the best day of my life,” he said as he turned to the audience after accepting his award.

Before heading back to his seat, organizers wanted to ask Bostic several questions, in hopes of showcasing his heroism to the student-athletes in attendance.

Bostic was first asked by one of the brunch presenters, Nate Barrett, if he’s reflected on his actions from that night.

“There have been a lot of up and down thoughts," Bostic said, "you know I guess it just comes with it. But I’ve been trying to stay positive. I don’t know, I haven’t really thought of it too much man. Anytime I’ve thought of it, it’s been brought to me.".

Bostic was then asked what brought him back to Lafayette after leaving as a young adult.

Bostic grew up in Lafayette, Ind., attending Hershey Elementary School, East Tipp Middle School and McCutcheon High School for a short period before moving to Arkansas with his father and graduating from high school.

“My dad lived in Arkansas and growing up I was raised there. I was bouncing back and forth, but what brought me back out here was that I let my father down,” he told the audience.

“I felt disappointed, and I was too ashamed to go back home. So, I came back here, my other home.”

Prior to his heroic actions in March 2022, Bostic shared with the J&C in an earlier interview that he had been battling with chemical addiction, which he gave up a few months before the fire.

He explained that he was using drugs as a way to push away the emotional pain he had been dealing with in life. Bostic has been sober for a year and a half now.

But after all was said and done, he reflected on his experience since that faithful day in a positive light.

“It’s made me into the best version of me that I could have asked for.”

Barrett asked if Bostic had any words of wisdom that he would like to share with the students in the audience, who were attentively listening to Bostic.

“Do what you got to do now, so you can do what you want to do later,” he enthusiastically told the students

“My father used to tell me that a lot. I used to write it on the dry-erase board at McCutcheon.”

After sharing those last words, Bostic sat down to a round of applause from the audience.

Prior to Saturday, Bostic had also received the Carnegie Medal, which is awarded to civilians who risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.

He was one of 15 people that were recognized in March by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. Since the Fund was established, only 10,355 individuals have been recognized by the commissions, and Bostic is a part of that exclusive club.

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter at 1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Nick Bostic receives Citizenship/Hero Award from Joe Tiller Chapter