Kansas City, Mo. ? Alced Surtain would not listen when his family urged him to flee New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Katrina.

But now that a helicopter has plucked him out of the floodwaters and possibly saved his life, his loved ones can all relax, including his famous son.

“He’s been through a real tough ordeal that none of us could even imagine,” said Kansas City cornerback Patrick Surtain. “He caught a bus to Houston.”

Surtain, a two-time Pro Bowler in his first year with the Chiefs, admits he had trouble concentrating during the time his father was lost amid the violence and chaos of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

“We told him to get out, but he wanted to ride it out. He was a little stubborn,” Surtain said.

His mother and sister heeded authorities. They were in Kansas City with Patrick when Katrina hit, causing New Orleans to flood and triggering an outbreak of lawlessness that shocked the nation.

The worried family finally got word on Saturday that Alced was safe.

“When he found out his dad was located, he came upstairs to my office, knocked on the door and came walking in (and said), ‘Coach, they found my dad,'” said head coach Dick Vermeil. “He was real excited and relieved.”

The way Surtain handled himself during the tense uncertainty was very impressive.

“But he was going about his business knowing there was nothing he could do, relying on the people down there doing the best they can,” Vermeil said. “He’s a pro in every way.”

Alced Surtain was trying to work his way to safer ground when he was spotted by a helicopter. He then caught a bus to Houston. His home was destroyed.

“It was tough. You’ve got to put things in perspective,” Patrick Surtain said. “When it comes to things like that, football’s secondary. To see all those people and what they were going through, I couldn’t even imagine being in those peoples’ shoes. It was real tough, seeing the city you grow up in, your whole life, not knowing if you’ll ever be able to go back there. I’m just hoping the best for everybody.”