The Philadelphia 76ers might be in a tough spot when it comes to the NBA standings, but the kindness and humility of their players haven’t faded. The Sixers honored 10-year-old Trey Howard, who saved his sister during the Northeast Philly plane tragedy last month, before their game against the Indiana Pacers.
76ers Honor 10-Year-Old Trey Howard for Saving His Sister in Plane Crash
Trey and his two siblings were picked up from school by their father, Andre Howard, and were on their way home when Med Jets Flight 056 crashed nearby. Andre told ABC News that when they saw debris flying toward them, Trey told his sister to get down and used his body as a shield to protect her.
“I hear my son telling his sister, ‘Get down, baby girl.’ I turn around, and he has metal out the side of his head,” Andre said.
Trey suffered a serious head injury and underwent emergency brain surgery, with doctors telling Andre he was unlikely to survive. However, the young boy battled through a full weekend in intensive care, and when he regained consciousness, the first thing he asked was whether he had been able to save his sister.
Andre said Trey’s selfless act of bravery was “something that not a lot of grown men could do.” But what the grown men could do was appreciate this “superhero.”
The 76ers did exactly that on March 15, welcoming Trey and his siblings to the game against the Pacers. Philly guard Tyrese Maxey was at the forefront of honoring the “superhero,” meeting and hugging the kids inside the arena.
“Can I get a hug? Good to see you all,” he said.
Tyrese making magic happen. 🥹✨
Tyrese hosted Trey and his family last night at the game. Trey was in the car with his family and was injured protecting his sister from the flying debris during the plane tragedy in Northeast Philly in January. pic.twitter.com/TLAQzNzanu
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 16, 2025
The Howard siblings were equally excited to meet Maxey. After sharing a joint hug with him, they were pictured courtside watching the Sixers take on the Pacers. Unfortunately for Trey and his siblings, Philly lost the game 112-100 and is on the brink of elimination from playoff contention as the regular season winds down.
Maxey has been sidelined since taking a hard fall against the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this month but is expected to return after Philly’s March 16 game against the Dallas Mavericks.
“I think yes [he could return],” head coach Nick Nurse said after Philly’s loss to Indiana on Friday. “Tyrese, he should get into this trip at some point. I don’t think he’ll make the next one, but maybe after that, we can see where he’s at.”
Nurse and his team are 12th in the Eastern Conference with a disappointing 22-44 record. Adding to their struggles is Joel Embiid’s season-ending injury, while Paul George continues to battle health issues. Embiid has already been shut down for the season.