INDIANAPOLIS — A California man visiting Indianapolis says he experienced a life-changing moment.
"That night on the 22nd (of June), a night that I won't forget," said Steven Czekala.
Czekala was in town to cheer on friends competing in the U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"I'm a longtime swimmer. I'm a big fan of the UC Berkeley team. The coach is a friend. His wife is an even better friend, so I go and cheer them on," said Czekala.
Czekala decided to take a scooter that night.
"Which I take all the time. In, fact this one was my 20th ride," he said.
But on this ride, something went wrong.
"I looked down at the fender and it was going back and forth and back and forth and the next thing I know, 'Boom,' and I'm in the road," said Czekala.
He fell on his head and broke his collarbone.
"Two cars stopped right away. One went on ahead and then this one family they got out of their car, checked on me and the husband said, 'We're not waiting on the EMT, we're taking you to Methodist,'" said Czekala.
The good Samaritans made sure Czekala was OK at the hospital before leaving.
"In my confusion, I didn't say, 'Could you please give me your name, your contact information, because I really want to thank you.' And off they went," said Czekala.
All he knew is that they were from West Lafayette.
A month later, the retired dentist got the call to be on "Jeopardy!"
"I thought, 'Oh my gosh! This is going to be my chance to thank them,'" said Czekala.
Czekala's lifelong dream was to be on the popular game show.
He first auditioned for the game show in 1986 and says, 38 years later, his dream came true.
On the show, host Ken Jennings took a moment and had each contestant say a few words.
Czekala shared his story.
"To my Hoosier good Samaritans out there, thank you so much for the kindness you extended to me. I'm on the Alex Trebek Stage," he said on the show.
The kindness of strangers is something he'll never forget.
"There's a Midwest kindness and sensibility that we really don't have in California, so it was nice to experience that from them," said Czekala.
Czekala is hoping to one day reconnect with the family who took the time to make sure he was safe.
"To care about your fellow human being was special," said Czekala.
Hoosier Hospitality at its best.