Atlanta, GA – In a moment that bridges the roar of the diamond to the crackle of flames, Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stepped up today with a heart-wrenching tribute to DeKalb County Fire Rescue’s fallen hero, Master Firefighter Preston Lee Fant. As Fant’s funeral procession winds through the streets toward a poignant service at Truist Park, Guerrero announced he’ll cover all funeral costs for the 53-year-old veteran who gave his life rescuing a brother-in-arms. “Preston was the definition of courage,” Guerrero posted on Instagram, his voice cracking in a video message. “He ran into hell to save someone else. That’s the kind of heart that inspires us all on and off the field. My deepest condolences to his wife Leigh and five kids – we’re family now.”
The news hit like a walk-off homer, flooding Blue Jays Nation and MLB circles with emotion just hours before Fant’s eternal rest. The 21-year DeKalb warrior, stationed at Fire Station 24 in Stone Mountain, met his fate on September 8 during a ferocious warehouse blaze on South Stone Mountain Road. Amid choking smoke and collapsing beams, Fant – certified in swift water, trench, and high-angle rescues – pushed forward to pull a trapped colleague to safety. But in that selfless surge, he became ensnared himself, succumbing to the inferno that claimed Georgia’s first DeKalb firefighter in the line of duty. “He was our rock, our leader in the darkest moments,” DeKalb Fire Chief Darnell Fullum eulogized, his words echoing the brotherhood’s unbreakable bond.
Guerrero’s gesture? Pure class from the 25-year-old slugger who’s slashing .312 with 28 homers this season, leading Toronto’s charge toward the AL wild card. A Georgia native with deep ties to the Braves’ backyard – his family roots trace back to Atlanta’s vibrant Latino community – Vladdy’s no stranger to heroism. Son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., he’s channeled that legacy into philanthropy, from youth clinics to disaster relief. But this? Covering the Fant family’s GoFundMe (already at $76,000 from fans’ outpouring) hits different. “I thank God for men like Preston who protect us without hesitation,” Guerrero wrote, sharing a photo of Fant’s smiling portrait beside a firefighter’s helmet. “His sacrifice reminds me why I play – for the fighters, the families, the everyday legends. Leigh, kids: Whatever you need, it’s done. Rest easy, brother.”
As thousands of firefighters line I-285 for the procession – engines blaring, boots polished, flags at half-staff – Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park opens its gates for the unprecedented memorial at 2 p.m. It’s a fitting stage: the house of champions honoring a champion of the community. Fant, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and man of unshakeable faith, leaves a legacy etched in valor. “He’d light up a room with that laugh, then charge into danger without a second thought,” a fellow rescuer shared tearfully. For Blue Jays fans, it’s a gut-punch reminder that baseball’s heartbeat syncs with real-world warriors.
Guerrero’s vow isn’t just financial – it’s a beacon. In a season of trades and tensions, it spotlights the humanity fueling our game. “Let’s honor Preston by being better – for each other, for our communities,” Vladdy urged. As the procession rolls on, with bagpipes wailing and salutes thundering, one thing’s clear: Fant’s fire burns eternal, kindled brighter by a ballplayer’s boundless heart. Blue Jays faithful, Astros diehards, Cubs loyalists – join the chorus: What hero story moves you most? Share below and let’s keep the flame alive.
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