Equally awesome is that he DID know for months he had been talking to one of the biggest whistleblowers of our generation, and he maintained enough OPSEC (i.e. "STFU") that this didn't become widely known.
I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Discretion is the better part of valor". It is good to be brave, however it is also good to be discreet. If you are cautious and discreet (keep your mouth shut and don't brag), you will probably not be put into a situation that requires bravery.
