Coach Jim Harbaugh praised quarterback Justin Herbert and several other players who were trapped in an elevator for two hours at the team hotel in Dallas on Friday night.
Harbaugh mentioned that Herbert was one of "11 or 12 of our players" on the elevator, along with Jeri Fouts, the wife of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chargers TV analyst Dan Fouts.
Dallas Fire-Rescue ultimately freed everyone by lifting them through ceiling panels into a neighboring elevator. Earlier attempts by a technician to get the elevator moving were unsuccessful.
Fire officials reported that the elevator became stuck between the third and 15th floors at The Westin in downtown Dallas, located about 15 miles from the Cowboys' stadium in Arlington.
The Chargers went on to win the preseason game 26-19 on Saturday. Herbert and the other starters did not play. LA will kick off the regular season at home on September 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"You get in those situations, and it becomes a test of will," Harbaugh said. "I was proud of every one of the guys and the two women who were on that elevator. That's a victory. You feel good about yourself. You were challenged, and you pushed through."
Harbaugh mentioned that he narrowly missed being on the stuck elevator himself and was there to see everyone emerge after the rescue.
"And it was hot," Harbaugh added. "Each person came off the elevator sweating, and some had taken their shirts off. Justin Herbert, his hair was a little wet, but his shirt was completely dry. That really surprised me."
Harbaugh noted that Jeri Fouts and several players, including some rookies, were impressed by Herbert's composure.
"'Justin Herbert's a leader. He was a rock. Kept everybody calm,'" Harbaugh said, quoting the players. "And everyone maintained their composure."
Harbaugh also confirmed that he invited the Dallas fire personnel to join the team for a meal after the players were freed.
"Without the Dallas Fire Department, it could have been a lot worse," Harbaugh said. "It could have been many more hours. Who knows how it would have ended."