Retired NFL running back remains hospitalized after a swimming accident in Florida, where emergency responders airlifted the former Cleveland Browns star from a Pensacola beach, as seen in newly surfaced photographs.
The 36-year-old Hillis reportedly saved both his children from potentially drowning, but ended up in intensive care for treatment on his lungs and kidneys as a result. Both children – Hillis’ son, Orry, and his younger daughter – are safe and neither needed to be hospitalized.
Photogr, Hillis’ alma mater, released an update Friday: ‘Encouraged to learn he’s doing better after his heroic act .’
Retired NFL running back Peyton Hillis remains hospitalized after a swimming accident in Florida, where emergency responders airlifted the former Cleveland Browns star from a Pensacola beach, as seen in newly surfaced photographs
The 36-year-old Hillis reportedly saved both his children from potentially drowning, but ended up in intensive care for treatment on his lungs and kidneys as a result. Both children – Hillis’ son, Orry, and his younger daughter – are safe and neither needed to be hospitalized
The Razorbacks aren’t the only ones praising Hillis for his parenting skills.
‘What a remarkable dad doing the ultimate sacrifice for his kids and praying he gets better and be there again for his kids,’ wrote one Twitter user.
‘Many kids think of their dad as their hero, but Peyton Hillis’ kids can now literally say their dad saved their life,’ added another.
Hillis was reportedly unconscious on Wednesday after being airlifted to a local hospital, where his breathing is now ‘improving’ in the intensive care unit, according to an update.
A chaotic scene at a Pensacola beach is pictured, in which Peyton Hillis was rescued following a swimming accident on Wednesday
A man identified as Hillis’ uncle revealed the update in a Facebook post on Thursday night, adding that his nephew was having trouble with his lungs and kidneys.
‘I just wanted to let everyone know on Razorback Nation that Peyton is doing better,’ Greg Hillis wrote. ‘He’s still in intensive care and having some problems with his kidneys and his lungs but the doctors say he is improving.’
A Browns spokesperson declined to comment, saying the team was waiting for news of Hillis’ condition to be confirmed before doing so.
Hillis former agent, Kennard McGuire, did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
Chris Ogbonnaya, another former Browns running back, asked fans on Twitter to pray for his old teammate: ‘Please keep former teammate Peyton Hillis in your thoughts and prayers.’
Former NFL safety Antoine Bethea had a similar post: ‘Prayers for Peyton Hillis!!’
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Photographs show a helicopter and two ambulances rushing to the scene on Wednesday. Another adult was also rushed to the hospital, according to TMZ
Hillis is seen being moved to an ambulance after a swimming accident at a Florida beach
Many online reactions praised Hillis as a good father and likeable man. One podcaster was particularly fond of his times with Hillis.
‘Peyton Hillis is a super good dude,’ tweeted a podcaster known as Sir Yacht. ‘An absolute goofball and I mean that in the Best Private University way possible. He is a hero for saving his kids from drowning today. I’m praying hard for him and I hope he has a safe and fast recovery.’
‘Guy saved his kids from drowning and is now hospitalized,’ wrote one Twitter user. ‘Speedy recovery for a dad putting his children above all, some people don’t always.’
The former Browns star had been trying his hand at acting in recent years and appeared in the horror film, The Hunting, in 2021.
He co-starred with actress Angela Cole in that film, and the two are now dating.
The film was a sort of homecoming for Hillis, as it was filmed in the Cleveland suburb of Mantua, Ohio.
Cole first went public with their relationship in a Facebook post on July 6, 2022.
Cole wrote: ‘I don’t care what they say about ya, Peyt. I think you’re pretty great. Sometimes there’s someone that comes into your life and changes everything. I’m so incredibly grateful for you.’
Hillis appeared to confirm the relationship on his unverified Instagram page in August.
He said: ‘I mean the Bahamas was beautiful… but she’s just’ before adding several emojis with hearts in them.’
Former Cleveland Browns running back Chris Ogbonnaya also called for fans to pray for Hillis
The University of Arkansas , Hillis’ alma mater, released an update Friday: ‘Encouraged to learn he’s doing better after his heroic act saving his family’
Hillis’ children are seen with his now-ex-wife, Amanda, during his short tenure in Kansas City
Hillis pictured with girlfriend Angela Cole, an actress, who is not the mother of his children
Hillis divorced the mother of his children, Amanda, in 2020.
After beginning his career with the Denver Broncos, Hillis was traded to the Browns along with a sixth-round pick for backup QB Brady Quinn.
In four years at the University of Arkansas, Hillis totaled 960 rushing yards and 1,197 receiving yards while scoring 23 touchdowns.
Cole confirmed the relationship in a social media post on July 6, 2022
Hillis is best known for his 2010 season with Cleveland, where he put up 1,600 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. As a result of that campaign, he won a national vote to be the cover athlete for the video game EA Sports Madden 12.
After two seasons in Cleveland, he left as a free agent to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He concluded his professional career with stints playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants.
Hillis retired in 2015 at the request of his doctor due to a history of concussions.
He spoke to Bleacher Report in 2015 about his frank struggles with mental health and depression as he chose to leave the game he loved.
‘I was going through real bad depression during that time,’ he said of his years in Cleveland in particular. ‘I was getting help because I couldn’t sleep, I was so upset that everything was going down the way it was and nobody could understand.
Of his decision to retire, he said: ‘After a while, it got too hard. I didn’t care as much anymore, I didn’t care to work at it. Football brought me down. I still love the game and I still have a lot of friends in the game, but as far as NFL football goes, my heart’s just not in it anymore.’
Hillis’s spectacular 2010 season led to fans voting him onto the cover of EA Sports’ Madden 12
