Peyton Hillis Remains in ICU After Rescuing Kids From Drowning

Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sidelines during the closing moments of the Browns' 20-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. on Dec. 24, 2011. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Former NFL running back Peyton Hillis remains in the intensive care unit following a swimming accident in Florida in early January.

Hillis was reportedly injured after helping save one of his children and the child of another family member from drowning in the Gulf of Mexico off of Pensacola Beach on Jan. 5. He was then airlifted to a local hospital with damage to the lungs and kidneys.

According to WREG, he has made a minor improvement in some areas, while his kidneys remain a cause for concern.

WREG’s reporter was told that Hillis is “battling and definitely needs as many prayers as he can get.” It’s unclear who provided that update to the reporter.

A prayer vigil was reportedly held for Hillis in his native Arkansas in the football stadium at Shiloh Christian on Sunday.

“One of the great things about being a body of believers is relationship and community, and it’s about being not only here to pray for people, but it’s also here, it’s also to be here to support them through times like this,” Bryant Davis, coach of Hillis’ Shiloh Christian football team, told KSFM-TV.

“It was not a surprise to hear that Peyton went in the water after his child and that he got him to safety and that he was fine, and that he risked his life. And at this point, we’re just praying that that’s not what it’s going to cost him,” vigil organizer Kelsey Eursery told KSFM-TV.

“That’s sacrificial living. That’s, that’s selflessness. It’s going out and risking it to save your kids. I mean, that’s amazing,” added coach Jordan Wright.

Hillis’ fans took to Twitter to show their support and are praying for his speedy recovery.

Hillis shares his two children with his ex-wife, Amanda Hillis, whom he divorced in 2020.

The 36-year-old played seven seasons in the NFL from 2008 to 2014, spending time with the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Giants.

His NFL career totals in 81 games included 696 carries for 2,832 yards and 23 touchdowns and 134 receptions for 1,050 yards and three touchdowns.

He is best known for his 2010 season with Cleveland, when he had 270 carries for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns and 61 receptions for 477 yards and two touchdowns.

Since retiring from the NFL in 2014, Hillis had been trying his hand at acting. In 2021, he made his film debut in the horror film “The Hunting.”