Peyton Hillis posts first comments since near-death swimming incident

Former Arkansas star and NFL standout Peyton Hillis took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to post his first public comments following a multiweek hospital stay in the wake of a swimming incident and said he expects to make a ‘100% recovery.’

‘I just wanted to come on here and thank everyone for all the prayers and love ya’ll have given me. It’s really made all the difference,’ Hillis wrote. 

Hillis thanked his family, the staff at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida  – he was released from the hospital in mid-January – and ‘everyone who helped save my life.’ He noted he’d been largely silent ‘because I’d like to keep my family out of the public eye because it was a very traumatic time for us.’ 

Hillis’ hospital stay came after he reportedly rescued members of his family from the ocean off the coast of Pensacola. He required a ventilator, which he was taken off on Jan. 12. 

‘I left the hospital with no worries and concerns and should make a 100% recovery. I’m a very lucky and blessed man,’ Hillis wrote. 

The 37-year-old spent seven seasons in the NFL after he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. He rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns in 2010, a performance that landed him on the cover of ‘Madden NFL 12.’