Two weeks ago, ABC affiliate WFTS reports J.C. La Verde was shooting an instructional video for his company when he was attacked by a 12-foot alligator as he swam in Lake Thonotosassa, near Tampa.
Drone video shot from overhead captured La Verde's brush with death. As soon as he realized he was inside a gator's mouth, he said he tried to open its jaws.
"When I felt the teeth, I immediately knew," La Verde said, "And then as I opened it, I knew that I either turned it or it turned me. But it was confused, just as I was confused, and then it just let go."
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He swam to the dock, hoisted himself up and was driven to the hospital by a good Samaritan. He even called 911 himself to explain what happened.
"I am not going to put extra stress on somebody that is already driving a bloody man somewhere," he said. "Like if I can ease that load off of this lady..."
La Verde underwent an emergency six-hour surgery and will need another in the future. He now must wear a helmet to protect the right side of his head.
"If people want to see this any other way than a legit miracle, it's silly of you," La Verde said. "I shouldn't be alive."
Sitting alongside his wife, he shared this message: "Find your God. Find Him. It's silly. I get that that's scary I do, but life is a scary place, so you can carry that load by yourself or have someone carry it for you."