America, give yourself a pat on the back because, thanks to you, the first crisis of the NFL offseason is over: Andy Dalton has found his lost luggage.
The crisis started on Wednesday morning when the Bengals quarterback landed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. After driving home from DFW, Dalton noticed something: His luggage didn't make it, and for once, it wasn't the airline's fault.
Rough start to the morning...
— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) February 10, 2016
If anybody in DFW traveling from 75-635 towards the airport finds 2 black suitcases on the road please contact me. Fell out bed of our truck
— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) February 10, 2016
@andydalton14 @MoEgger1530 when Andy looked in the truck bed and it was empty... #bagsearch2016 #FindAndysBagsDallas pic.twitter.com/u3NSdNLwWN
— Cody Tewmey (@codiki) February 10, 2016
Clearly, Dalton had something important in his suitcases. The Bengals quarterback wanted to find them so bad that he asked everyone on Twitter to help, which led America on a dramatic national scavenger hunt known as #BagSearch2016.
Thanks for those spreading the word. If you happen to have them, send a pic. And trust me...I know this is a long shot. #bagsearch2016
— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) February 10, 2016
America did not back down from Dalton's #BagSearch2016 challenge. One Twitter user tried to enlist the help of Dog the Bounty Hunter.
@DogBountyHunter Andy could use your help Dog. #bagsearch2016 https://t.co/XIuqm7GSRU
— John Kuebler (@Lawnjob72) February 10, 2016
Other people were just rooting Andy on.
I really hope Andy finds his luggage...#bagsearch2016
— Bryan H (@Bryan_Hackney) February 10, 2016
At one point, there was some hope ... but nope, just a false lead.
@jacksonboy281 @NBCDFW sorry not it. Thanks.
— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) February 10, 2016
Just as it looked like everyone was about to give up, Rosie Red offered to help and she single-handedly reinvigorated the hope of an entire country.
Hey, @AndyDalton14 we’ll double check our truck for your bags. #bagsearch2016 pic.twitter.com/GY7Lj6RbnW
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 10, 2016
Thanks to Rosie, Andy got some more leads on the bags.
Have received several phone calls & emails from media today asking for updates on if @andydalton14 has found his suitcases. #bagsearch2016
— Mark Cohen (@TCUSID) February 10, 2016
This guy even went to the interstate where Dalton lost his bags.
@BarstoolBigCat corner of 635&75 is packed. Everyone must still be looking for @andydalton14 's bags #bagsearch2016 pic.twitter.com/hXmFg4Jvd4
— Trae Bobillo (@traebo15) February 11, 2016
And then, just like that, it was over: A guy named Robert turned the bags in. All faith in humanity was restored.
I dropped off what may be your bags with Richardson Police this afternoon. Found around 5 am in Richardson https://t.co/9AKDY4gkFr
— Robert Lancaster (@RobertL34783517) February 10, 2016
Robert is a true hero. Any airline presidents out there reading this should think about hiring him to hunt down luggage.
Andy and his wife, J.J., have been reunited with their lost luggage.
#bagsearch2016 is officially over! Thankful that Robert found our bags. The power of social media is real! pic.twitter.com/3lzPnef0FL
— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) February 11, 2016
This entire incident can only mean one thing for the Bengals.
I feel like the Bengals will win a playoff game now. Luck on the team's side. #bagsearch2016
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) February 11, 2016
Oh, and just in case you're wondering, Dalton did promise a reward, although we're not quite sure what that reward is yet.
On a football-related note, Dalton says his injured thumb has healed, but he's not throwing yet.
"Not throwing yet but will soon," Dalton said, via ESPN.com. "Just being conservative with my hand and waiting for it to be officially 100 percent before I start up."
Anyway, the offseason is officially here, so get ready for six months of stories about Andy Dalton's luggage. Also, good job America.
