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," Steven Czekala said.
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," Czekala said.
Czekala decided to take a scooter that night, which he said he does regularly.
"In fact, this one was my 20th ride," Czekala 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," Czekala said.
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,'" Czekala said.
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," Czekala said.
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,'" Czekala said.
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," Czekala 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," Czekala said.
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," Czekala said.
Hoosier Hospitality at its best.