'Pal, you're a hero': Avengers assemble with messages for boy who saved his sister from dog attack

They say heroes come in all shapes and sizes and there's no better example for this than young Bridger Walker. The 6-year-old superstar won hearts across the world this week after the story of how he saved little sister from a charging dog went viral. Netizens hailed him a hero for putting himself in the line of danger to protect his sibling and it appears as though some of our favorite superheroes wholeheartedly agree. A number of celebs—including Avengers stars Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Evans—have reached out to the Walker family since news of the young boy's bravery spread.

Chris Evans, who portrayed Captain America in Marvel movies, sent a sweet video message to Bridger with an incredible promise that brought a wide smile to the youngster's face. "Hey, Bridger. Captain America here. How are you doing, buddy? So I read your story, saw what you did, and I'm sure you've heard a lot of this over the last couple of days but let me be the next one to tell you: Pal, you're a hero. What you did was so brave, so selfless — your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother. Your parents must be so proud of you," Evans said in the video.

Evans added that he'd send Bridger "an authentic Captain America shield because pal, you deserve it." The star ended the video with a comforting message of support for the boy's recovery. "Keep being the man you are, we need people like you. Hang in there, I know recovery might be tough, but based on what I've seen, I don't think there's much that can slow you down," he said. Bridger's family revealed in a statement that besides Captain America, the youngster has also received messages of support and praise from the likes of Hugh Jackman, Zachary Levi, Tom Holland (who plays Spider-Man), Anne Hathaway, the Russo brothers, Robbie Amell, and Mark Ruffalo (who portrays The Hulk in the Marvel cinematic universe).

The statement, which was uploaded by Bridger's aunt Nikki Walker on Instagram, also gave a little more detail into the boy's heroism and his relationship with his 4-year-old sister. "Since COVID-19 hit the world with all its fury, we have taken time out of our busy schedules to sit as a family each Sunday. We discuss how each family member is doing: going over the various goals set by each of our children and reading from scriptures. Bridger commonly remembers more than his siblings, actively contributes, and amazes us with his 'old-soul' insights," it states.

"So on July 9, 2020, it was no surprise to us that he stepped up to the plate in a major way. While at a friend's house, Bridger and his sister went into the home's back yard. Upon entering the yard, the child with them pointed to one dog and said, 'This is the nice dog,' and pointed to the other dog in the yard, explaining: 'That is the mean one.' Bridger explained how, at that moment, the mean one ran at him. In Bridger's words: 'I stepped to the side, in front of my sister so that the dog wouldn't get her. I kept moving, so it couldn't get past," it continues.

"Tragically, instead of running off, the dog leaped and latched onto Bridger's cheek. Bridger explained that when the dog bit him, he yelled for his sister to run. After the dog released, Bridger ran to his sister and led her to a more secure part of the yard where he thought they would be safe," the family explained. They revealed that the only time the youngster "cried was when he got the IV."

"The most challenging moment for Bridger's father was during a quiet moment between CAT scans. While he sat in a folding chair next to Bridger's hospital bed, he began to ask about what happened and was able to gather the details above. When Bridger explained how he had shielded his sister, his father asked why he did that. Bridger, in his own words and without hesitation, declared, 'If someone had to die, I thought it should be me," the statement continues.

"As a family, during a Sunday family time, we had just discussed personal sacrifice and service. Yet, at that moment, Bridger was the teacher. Bridger's father was able to keep it together just long enough for emergency workers to wheel Bridger into surgery," the family explained. "Before leaving the ER for surgery, the incredible supervising doctor, Doctor Jordan Greer II, turned to Bridger's father and said, 'I want you to know he is the bravest patient I've ever had... I really mean it."