“We dodged a bullet,” Jim Harbaugh declared, but not about a last-second field goal or a narrowly avoided interception. The Los Angeles Chargers head coach was talking about an elevator. In a twist that would make even the most creative playbook designer do a double-take, several Chargers players found themselves in a high-stakes situation that had nothing to do with the gridiron – just hours before their preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

During their stay at The Westin in downtown Dallas, eleven or twelve team members, including star quarterback Justin Herbert, got trapped in an elevator for two grueling hours. But here’s the kicker: Harbaugh, known for his intense coaching style, actually expressed regret at missing out on this harrowing experience. “I just missed it, you know, being on that elevator,” he lamented during a post-game presser.

“It’s like, I wish I could have been there with those guys.” Only in the world of football would someone be disappointed about not being stuck in a metal box suspended somewhere between the third and 15th floors! While most of us would be climbing the walls (literally and figuratively), Herbert turned this potential disaster into a showcase of his leadership skills.

Chargers rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still couldn’t stop singing Herbert’s praises: “Justin Herbert’s a leader. He was a rock, you know, kept everybody calm,” Harbaugh reported, quoting the players who were there.

It wasn’t just about keeping cool under pressure. Herbert’s composure extended to his appearance too. As Harbaugh recounted the scene when the players finally emerged, he marveled, “Justin Herbert, his hair was a little wet. But his shirt was completely dry. That was another thing that blew me away.” Herbert’s cool under pressure extends to his sweat glands!

This unexpected adventure wasn’t just about Herbert’s leadership, though. It was a test of will for everyone involved. “You get in those situations, and it’s a test of wills,” Harbaugh explained. “I was proud of each of the guys and the two women that were on that elevator. That’s a win.”

The Chargers’ bonding moment

While being stuck in an elevator isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, it might just be the secret ingredient to the Chargers’ success this season. Harbaugh saw the silver lining in this cloud of claustrophobia, calling it a “shared experience” that “brought them closer together.”

The coach painted a vivid picture of the scene as the players emerged from their ordeal. “As each person came off the elevator, sweating and some had the shirt off,” Harbaugh recounted. The experience was so intense that Harbaugh even invited the Dallas Fire-Rescue team to join the Chargers’ meal afterward as a thank-you for their efforts.

“Without the Dallas Fire Department, could have been a lot worse,” Harbaugh acknowledged. “Could have been a lot more hours. Who knows how it would have ended.” This unexpected bonding experience extended beyond just the players. Dan Fouts, Chargers Hall of Fame quarterback and current TV analyst, revealed that his wife and son were also among those trapped. It was a true family affair, Chargers style.

In the end, what could have been a disastrous start to their Dallas trip turned into a moment of triumph. The Chargers went on to defeat the Cowboys 26-19 in their preseason finale, with the starters, including Herbert, sitting out the game. As Harbaugh put it, “You feel good about yourself. You got it. You were challenged. And it was a test of will.”

If the Chargers can handle being stuck in an elevator with this much grace, imagine what they can do on the field. With their season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 8th looming, this unexpected team-building exercise might just give them the edge they need. Watch out, NFL – this team’s unity, forged in the crucible of a stuck elevator, might just be their secret weapon this season!