The Miracle Files

Episode: Heroic Sacrifice: Wrestler Faces Grizzly Bear | REPLAY

Hosts: Holly Worthington & Emily Jones
Date: September 29, 2025

Overview

In this replay episode of The Miracle Files, hosts Holly and Emily revisit the gripping true story of Kendall Cummings— a 19-year-old college wrestler who survived a brutal grizzly bear attack while sacrificing his own safety to save his friend. Set against the wilderness near Yellowstone, Kendall’s act of heroic friendship and the remarkable sequence of events are recounted with reverence, highlighting themes of valor, divine intervention, and the enduring power of kindness. Through interviews and narration, the episode uplifts listeners with a narrative that champions faith, courage, and the everyday miracles that happen even in moments of terror.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: A Day Like Any Other

• Kendall Cummings, a college wrestler at Northwest College, and his friends set out for a day of shed hunting by their coach’s encouragement (01:49).
• The group splits into pairs: Kendall and Brady, and the other two friends, Gus and Orin (02:28).
• Kendall and Brady are the only ones without bear spray as they make their descent through bear territory.

The Attack: Terror in the Woods

• Brady spots signs of bear activity— and almost instantly, a 450-pound grizzly emerges (03:56–04:04).
  • Kendall (Direct quote):
    “‘As soon as he said that, it was almost like he was telling the bear to come out...the bear came out as soon as he said that.’” (03:56)
• The bear attacks Brady first, breaking his arm and pinning him against a rock (04:38).
• Kendall tries throwing rocks and sticks, then attempts to free an antler from his backpack to use as a weapon, but it’s stuck.
• Crucial Decision:
  • Kendall contemplates fleeing but feels compelled to help his friend.
  • Kendall: “I do remember turning and thinking like, maybe I should run. I could get out of here.” (05:50)
• Instead, he physically pulls the bear off Brady, drawing its attention.
  • Kendall: “I grabbed the bear off of Brady, pulled on it... it kind of looked at me like, what the heck's pulling on my ear?” (06:30)

Surviving the Mauling

• The bear turns on Kendall, mauling his hands as he tries to protect his vital areas (07:10–07:36).
  • Kendall: “I was sticking my hands in its mouth... just trying to make sure he didn't bite anything significant.” (07:36)
• The bear runs off; Kendall calls out for Brady, realizing his friend has gone for help (08:09).

The Second Attack and Miracle Survival

• While Kendall tries to make his way down the mountain, the bear ambushes him a second time—this attack is even more vicious (09:31).
• Kendall describes being bitten on the head:
  • Kendall:
    “‘It bit my head. And it was almost like when you get a water bottle and twist it up super tight then poke a hole and all the pressure comes out.’” (10:17)
• The bear tries to bury Kendall, thinking him dead.
  • Kendall: “I think that it thought I was dead. It buried me, so it was going to save me for later.” (10:58)
• Injured and believing he might die, Kendall attempts to call his mother but his phone is destroyed (11:30).

Escape and Rescue: Human Kindness and Divine Timing

• Kendall painfully slithers out of his backpack and limps down the mountain, fearing the bear could return at any moment (12:11–12:27).
• He’s finally found by his friends (12:41).
• In a critical act of kindness, a local rancher (alerted by authorities) meets them with a side-by-side vehicle, transporting Kendall three miles to the trailhead for ambulance and helicopter evacuation (13:41).
• Medical staff report severe but ultimately non-lethal injuries: scalp lacerations, puncture wounds, torn bicep, and hundreds of stitches and staples (14:47).

Aftermath: Reflection, Healing, and Recognition

• Kendall’s wrestling season ends, but he remains his friend Brady’s partner and cheers him to success at nationals.
  • Kendall:
    “‘He wore my shoes and everything. It was kind of cool.’” (15:28)
• Both Kendall and the hosts note the miraculous timing (e.g., missing critical arteries) and the kindness of the rancher as pivotal to his survival.
  • Kendall: “I think I definitely got lucky. I would say it was a miracle.” (15:48)
• In 2024, Kendall is awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal for heroism (17:35).
  • On being called a hero:
    “I guess everybody says so. I feel like really I was just doing the right thing.” (17:53)

Faith, Appreciation, and Life Lessons

• Kendall expresses a deepened appreciation for life and a gratitude for those who helped him.
  • Kendall:
    “‘I always tell everybody I wouldn’t change anything. I think it worked out just right. If I changed any part, Brady might not be here...’” (17:13)
• The hosts and Kendall agree: the greatest miracle is a kind and brave heart.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was almost like he was telling the bear to come out of the trees. The bear came out as soon as he said that.”
  — Kendall, 03:56

• “I could get out of here. But... he wouldn’t abandon his friend. So instead, he did the unthinkable.”
  — Narration, 05:50–06:30

• “I grabbed the bear off of Brady, pulled on it, and it didn't even move... just had, like, little, teeny, tiny black eyes.”
  — Kendall, 06:30

• “It bit my head... I definitely thought that was it. So I just kind of laid there, and the bear had its paw on my face and kind of was pushing pretty hard.”
  — Kendall, 10:17

• “I think that it thought I was dead. It buried me, so it was going to save me for later.”
  — Kendall, 10:58

• “A kind heart is one of the greatest miracles of all.”
  — Emily, 17:04

• “I wouldn’t change anything. I think it worked out just right.”
  — Kendall, 17:13

• “I guess everybody says so. I feel like really I was just doing the right thing.”
  — Kendall, on being a hero, 17:53

• “He tells me all the time... ‘This is a kid that saved my life.’”
  — Kendall, quoting Brady, 19:00

Important Timestamps

• 01:44 – Introduction of Kendall Cummings and the hunting trip
• 03:56 – First signs of a bear, and immediate grizzly attack
• 05:50 – Kendall’s pivotal choice: fight or flee
• 06:30 – Kendall intervenes, turns the bear’s attention
• 07:36 – First mauling, Kendall’s struggle
• 09:31 – Second attack, Kendall’s harrowing description
• 10:58 – Bear buries Kendall; he feigns death
• 11:30 – Attempt to call his mother
• 13:41 – Rescue by rancher in side-by-side
• 14:47 – Hospital treatment, extent of injuries
• 15:48 – Kendall reflects on the miraculous outcome
• 17:35 – Carnegie Medal for heroism announcement
• 19:00 – Brady’s perspective, “the kid that saved my life”
• 24:54 – Hosts dedicate episode to Kendall’s late mother, Megan Cummings

Practical Advice: Bear Safety (20:00–21:23)

• Always carry bear spray in bear country— never forget it.
• For black bears: fight back, look big and loud.
• For grizzly bears: do not fight— play dead instead.
• National Park Service offers guidelines: nps.gov.

Host Discussion & Family Anecdotes

• The hosts share personal family bear stories, adding warmth and humor (21:36–23:54).
• They reflect on Kendall’s humility, his family’s pride, and dedicate the episode to his late mother, Megan Cummings (24:54–25:05).

Episode Tone

The episode is heartfelt and reverent, balancing suspense with celebration of courage and faith. Holly and Emily’s supportive, relatable style underscores the show’s unique mission: to spotlight light over darkness, miracles over tragedy, and the constant goodness of God.

Final Thoughts

Kendall’s story reframes survival as both physical and spiritual— a testament not only to chance but also to the bravery, selflessness, and the miracles wrought through human kindness and faith. This episode stands as a moving reminder that, even in the darkest of woods, light shines through sacrifice and love.

To share your own miracle story or for more inspiration, visit themiraclefiles.com or follow The Miracle Files on social media.