Ex-Chiefs running back, who was hospitalized after saving kids, is ‘on road to recovery’

Former NFL running back Peyton Hillis, who played one season with the Chiefs, is showing improvement after being hospitalized following a swimming accident on Jan. 4 in Pensacola Florida.

According to TMZ.com, Hillis “was hospitalized after a swimming accident where he saved his kids from drowning.”

The Pensacola News Journal said emergency medical personnel and beach lifeguards responded to a life-threatening incident. A swimmer who was rescued had “reportedly provided assistance to four swimmers that were in distress. They were now back on shore,” the paper reported.

KNWA-TV in Rogers, Arkansas, reported Hillis was taken by helicopter to a hospital where he was unconscious and in an intensive care unit.

On Sunday, WREG-TV in Memphis reported Hillis’ kidneys were of concern to the medical staff at the hospital.

But there was good news Wednesday regarding Hillis, who played for the Chiefs in 2012. Hillis’ girlfriend, Angela Cole, shared an update on Instagram, saying he was on the “road to recovery” after being taken off a ventilator.

“So proud of this man and so incredibly grateful for family and this incredible hospital,” Cole wrote. “Peyton is off the ventilator and is on the road to recovery. Please continue to pray for he’s still got a ways ahead of him, but thank you for all of your prayers and love and support thus far. It truly makes all the difference. Today was a good day.”

Hillis played seven seasons in the NFL from 2008-14 and had two-year stints with the Browns, Broncos and Giants.