“EMINEM SENT A GIFT THAT BROKE AMERICA’S HEART”: Coast Guard Hero Who Saved 165 Kids Honored With Rap Legend’s Most Personal Tribute Yet

“I had 200 scared kids counting on me.”
That was the thought that burned into the mind of Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, 26, as flash floods swallowed Camp Mystic over the Fourth of July weekend.

It was meant to be a holiday of joy.
But by sunrise, it became a living hell.

Cabins smashed. Children screaming. Water rising with terrifying speed. And in the middle of it all stood one man—with no plan, no backup, and a heart that refused to break.

The Flood That Shook a Nation

The devastating storm that tore through Kerr and Mason counties in Central Texas has claimed 104 lives—including 27 girls who vanished in the chaos at Camp Mystic, some as young as eight years old.

“Our hearts are broken,” the camp shared online.
“We are praying for the families constantly. This is a tragedy beyond words.”

But while the world grieved, Scott Ruskan waded into the flood, one terrified child at a time.

“I was the only first responder on scene,” he told Good Morning America.
“All I could do was keep moving. Pulling kids from rooftops. Holding the little ones who couldn’t even cry anymore.”

He saved 165 lives.
He didn’t stop—because he couldn’t.

“The Real Heroes Were the Kids”

Despite his courage, Ruskan refuses to take credit.

“The real heroes were the kids,” he said softly.
“They were scared. But they were brave. They kept each other going. That inspired me.”

But while Scott remained humble, the rest of the world saw him for what he truly is—a symbol of courage in the face of devastation.

“I had about 200 kids — scared, cold, and terrified. Probably the worst day of their lives.” Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin shares how he helped save 165 people during the devastating Texas floods at Camp Mystic. #news

And one man—someone nobody expected—was watching from afar, silently moved to tears: Eminem.

“This Man Saved 165 Lives. He’s the Closest Thing to Superman We’ve Got.”

According to sources close to the rapper, Eminem heard Scott’s story while in the studio in Detroit. He reportedly stopped a recording session mid-track and stared at the footage in stunned silence.

“He didn’t speak for a minute,” said a studio engineer.
“Then he just said, ‘I need to do something. Now.’”

What followed was a tribute that stunned even Scott himself.

The Gift That Brought a Rescue Hero to Tears

Three days later, a custom box arrived at Scott Ruskan’s Coast Guard base.

Inside:

A limited-edition Eminem varsity jacket, hand-stitched with “165” on the sleeve and “GUARDIAN” across the back.

A handwritten lyric sheet titled: “Unsung” — an unreleased verse Eminem had written in tribute to everyday heroes.

A private voice message from Eminem, played for Scott and his team.

“You didn’t have a mic. You didn’t have a spotlight.

But what you did echoed louder than anything I’ve ever rapped,” the message said.

“You saved 165 kids, man. You didn’t just dive in. You showed up when the world was breaking. That’s real. That’s forever.”

“He Just Held the Lyric Sheet… and Cried.”

Witnesses at the Coast Guard station said Scott was silent after hearing the message.

“He read the lyrics, over and over. Then he just cried,” one teammate said.
“Not for the fame. Not for himself. For the 27.”

The final line of the Eminem lyric read:

“Not all heroes rhyme / Some just show up on time / So when the flood comes again / I hope there’s another Scott in line.”