Peyton Hillis made his first public remark after a swimming accident left him hospitalized in critical care with organ damage on Tuesday when he said that he anticipates “making a 100% recovery.” This was his first statement since the tragedy occurred.
The declaration was made by the former NFL running back for Arkansas in a message that was shared on social media. In the statement, he thanked his loved ones, his caretakers, and his fans for their support.
“I haven’t accepted any interviews on this because I’d prefer to keep my family out of the public glare since it was a very terrible time for us,” Hillis posted on Twitter. “I’d like to keep my family out of the public eye because it was a very difficult time for us.” “But, I did want to come on here to express my gratitude to everyone who had a part in preserving my life, as well as for all of your love, prayers, and support,” she said. I was completely at ease when I checked out of the hospital, and my doctor predicts that I will make a full recovery.
After the incident on January 4, Hillis was sent to a hospital in Pensacola, Florida, for treatment. Local news outlets have reported, citing an incident report from Escambia County Fire Rescue, that early that morning, emergency personnel were sent to Pensacola Beach in order to assist with a water rescue. According to the complaint, three rescue personnel—one fireman and two lifeguards—were on a jet ski to assist a single swimmer who was in trouble.
After suffering an injury while swimming at Pensacola Beach, Hillis was flown to a nearby hospital by helicopter, according to Alyssa Orange of KNWA, who provided the information on January 5. According to the report, he was not aware and was located in the intensive care unit at the time.
Greg Hillis, the uncle of Hillis, was previously identified by Orange as the person who wrote on Facebook that Hillis was “having some difficulties with his kidneys and his lungs but the doctors say he is recovering.”
It is not quite obvious what took place in the water. According to WKRG, the lone swimmer who was thought to be Hillis had previously assisted in the rescue of four other swimmers who were in need of assistance before he himself need assistance from emergency authorities.
In following updates on Hillis’ condition, his family has not provided any clarification about what occurred; nevertheless, Hillis’ girlfriend, Angela Cole, referred to him as a “hero” in an Instagram post on January 11 in which she announced that he had been removed off a ventilator.
Hillis was released from the Baptist Hospital in Pensacola nine days after being admitted there. An image of Hills smiling while surrounded by caretakers was shared on social media by Cole.
Peyton, it says in the note that Cole penned, “has been released from the hospital.” It is impossible for me to adequately express how much affection and appreciation I feel for the remarkable group of people who looked after Peyton.
Hillis had not addressed the situation or the state of his health in the public eye prior to Tuesday.
Before being taken by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2008 draft, Hills, now 37 years old, was a running back at the University of Arkansas. After two seasons in which Hillis failed to live up to expectations in terms of his output, the Broncos parted ways with him in order to acquire quarterback Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns. From that point, Hillis’ professional life began to take a decisive turn for the better.
In 2010, Hillis’ first season with the Cleveland Browns, he finished with 1,177 yards on the ground, 477 yards receiving, and a total of 13 touchdowns. His efforts did not get him selected for the Pro Bowl, but they did get him a spot on the cover of “Madden NFL 12,” which was determined by a vote of the game’s players.
Hillis was never able to achieve the same level of success as he did in 2010, but he did go on to play in the NFL for a total of eight seasons with the Broncos, Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Giants. After he retired, he has gone on to play with Cole in the indie horror film “The Hunting,” which is set to be released in 2021.
