Former New York Giants running back Peyton Hillis has been discharged from the hospital after a two-week stay.
Hillis was admitted on January 4 after suffering lung and kidney damage due to inhaled seawater. He had leaped into the ocean off the Florida coast to save he and his brother’s drowning children.
Great News: Former #NFL RB Peyton Hillis has been discharged from the hospital after being in critical condition for the last 2 weeks following the accident in which he saved his kids from drowning.
Hillis made a full recovery after an extended stay at the ICU.
Amazing! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IScWGlDowg
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 21, 2023
Initially, the situation for Hillis looked dire and it was uncertain that he’d be able to survive his injuries. But after being airlifted and placed into the ICU, which included a short stay on a ventilator, the former Madden cover athlete made a full recovery.
The kids were all saved from the riptide that was pulling them out to sea, and none suffered any injuries.
“God is so good! Peyton has been discharged from the hospital. The amount of love and gratitude I have for the incredible team that took care of Peyton is indescribable. This picture does not have anywhere near the amount of people who took such great care of him,” Hillis’ girlfriend, Angela Cole, wrote on Instagram.
“To Baptist Hospital in Pensacola: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know I told you this probably 20 times a day, but you are so incredible. You all worked like a perfected machine with each and every one of you so kind, attentive, calming and caring…
“You not only saved Peyton’s life, you made it a priority to make sure that his family and I were okay amidst your busy schedules. You all were so calming, answered every question numerous times kindly… and heck, even took care of me and made sure I was okay every night: got me hot tea for my throat, made sure I was sleeping and eating, gave me a friend to confide in… I mean, I am just in awe. You have all became a huge family to me and I know have meant so much to all of us. I can’t express this enough when I say this, thank you for making all the difference in our lives. I’ll never be able to thank you enough!
“And a huge thank you again for all of your prayers, love and support… God heard. And He answered.”
Hillis is the literal definition of a hero. And the same can be said for those at Baptist Hospital.
