Former NFL running back Peyton Hillis has opened up about the dramatic rescue of two family members in the Gulf of Mexico in January, which landed him in the hospital for two weeks.
Hillis appeared on ABC’s «Good Morning America» and spoke with Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan about the ordeal. After saving her children from drowning, Hillis spent more time in the hospital dealing with lung and kidney problems.
«It’s 100% a miracle that somebody didn’t die,» Hillis told Strahan.
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Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis against the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 18, 2011, in Glendale, Arizona. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports)
Hillis recalled that day on January 4 when her children really wanted to go to the beach in Pensacola, Florida. She said there was a strong storm, but she didn’t notice any flags warning her about keeping her children out of the water. She later said that her son and her niece began to drown when they got caught in a rip current.
«I heard my mom scream and then I looked at her and she pointed at my son, and she said, ‘Orry and Camilla are drowning,'» Hillis recalled. «…And then, I didn’t even think about it, I reacted and started running towards the water.»
The former player’s son, Orry, was 9 years old and his niece Camille was 8 at the time.
Hillis said he was faced with an incredibly difficult decision when he was in the water.
«I think the scariest moment…was when I’m swimming to my son and I have to get past him because my niece is in more danger,» she said. «I knew I had to let it go to get to Camille first. Because, you know, if he hadn’t, there was no way she would have made it.»
«And then what happened… I swam past my son, and I got to Camille, and she started freaking out, you know, ‘We’re going to die, we’re going to die.'»
Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis runs against the Raiders in Oakland, California on October 16, 2011. (Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports)
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Hillis said she was able to get her niece to safety, but when she got back into the water, her son was «pretty limp.» She said he didn’t have enough strength to swim back while fighting 10- to 12-foot waves.
Hillis said she prayed at the time.
«Sir, please. I really don’t care about my life. I don’t care. But if we can get him out of here, that’s all I’m going to care about,» he added.
Hillis said she got close enough to shore to get her son back, but lost consciousness when emergency personnel arrived.
Hillis, 37, was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, where he spent his first two seasons. However, he excelled as a member of the Browns, rushing for 1,177 yards on 270 carries and scoring 11 touchdowns in 2010.
Although he did not make the Pro Bowl that season, he was rewarded by being the cover athlete for Madden NFL 12.
New York Giants running back Peyton Hillis after the Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on October 27, 2013. (John Geliebter-USA Today Sports)
He spent the 2012 season with the Kansas City Chiefs before spending his final two years with the New York Giants.
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While at Arkansas, Hillis played a key role as a pass catcher. In fact, he had more receiving yards (1,197) than rushing yards (960) in his four years there: a dozen of his 23 touchdowns came from the ground.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.