Gridiron: Kids steal the show with rescue attempt

A college gridiron match has been overshadowed by a one of sport’s truly great tests of physical and mental endurance – how to get a ball out of a tree.

The challenge was posed to a number of children who had lost their ball while, ahem, watching the contest between Penn State and Indiana in the US.

The kids’ solution? Throw more fuel on the fire by tossing another football in the attempt to dislodge the first one.

The common rookie mistake resulted in both balls being caught in the branches of the wily tree.

Undeterred, the group rustled up another ball for a shot at redemption.

But like their first rescue attempt, this ball also failed to find its mark and, though not ensnared by the tree, was lost to the valiant rescuers behind the fence.

The vision, which had stolen the attention of the bemused commentary team, eventually cut out with the group turning to their last resort.

Yes people. They were taking off their shoes.