Former NFL Player Peyton Hillis Thanks God for Saving His Life after He Rescued His Kids from Drowning

Last week, Hillis released his first public statement since the incident and thanked everyone for their prayers.

“I also want to thank my brave sister, mother, sister-in-law, my kids, and my girlfriend, who has saved my life in more ways than one,” he said. “Thank you to the amazing staff at the hospital, Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Y’all were truly amazing and took such great care of me. You made all the difference on my recovery.”

“But I did want to come on here and show my appreciation for everyone who helped save my life and for all of your prayers and love and support,” Hillis said. “I left the hospital with no worries and concerns and should make a 100% recovery. I’m a very lucky and blessed man. Yahweh has really blessed me, and I am very thankful.”

TMZ Sports also obtained photos of the incident, which showed Hillis being carried away on a stretcher before being placed into a chopper that took him to a local hospital. According to ESPN, two adults and two children were reportedly struggling in the water when the rescue occurred.

KFSM-TV reports that families with Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, Arkansas, gathered to pray for Hillis. The former running back reportedly volunteered as an assistant for the school’s youth football program. His son was a part of the program.

“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, head coach of the program, said.

Jordan Wright, another coach at Shiloh Christian, commended Hillis for his heroism.

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

Hillis played in the NFL from 2008 to 2014. He played for the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants.

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Christian Petersen/Staff

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.