Former Arkansas Razorback and retired NFL superstar Peyton Hillis told “Good Morning America’s” Michael Strahan that it was “truly a miracle” no one died in a swimming accident in January of this year. Hillis ran into the water at a Pensacola, Florida, beach to save his 9-year-old son and 8-year-old cousin from drowning in a rip current.
The exclusive interview that aired this morning was Hillis’ first since the accident. He recounted to Strahan making the decision to swim past his son as his cousin was in a more dangerous situation and wouldn’t have made it otherwise, he said. He was able to place his cousin and nephew on a boogie board and push them to safety, he said. By the time he reached his son, he was “pretty much collapsing.”
“He didn’t have any more strength in him to swim, and I’m there holding him,” said Hillis, who said he struggled to stay afloat in 10- to 12-foot waves while holding his 130-pound son. “You can’t swim, and you’re seeing his eyes roll in the back of his head.”
Hillis lost consciousness after getting his son close enough to shore where they could start walking. He was airlifted to Pensacola Baptist Hospital and placed on a ventilator due to lung and kidney failure. He regained consciousness after about a week and spent two weeks in the intensive care unit. Both children have recovered from the incident, the report said.
Hillis said doctors told him it may take a year before he has a full recovery.
“I don’t think my lungs will ever get back to where they need to be,” Hillis said. “Physically, it’s coming along okay. Mentally, it’s coming along a lot slower. I’m just trying to take it one day at a time.”
In response to a question from Strahan about what people can learn from this incident, he said, “You have to respect this. You have to be aware of your surroundings. I would think if you have young children, especially under the age of 12, it’s very dangerous to let your kids go out there and swim, especially without life jackets.”
Rhett Brinkley is a frequent self-published writer and is the food editor for Arkansas Moments. He also covers athletics and weather. Send restaurant tips and food selfies to [email protected]
