It has been over six months since former NFL running back Peyton Hillis nearly lost his life in an attempt to save his drowning son and niece in a rip current. He spoke about the incident in an appearance on Good Morning America on Monday, saying that it was “a miracle” that nobody died.
Hillis notably spent two weeks in the hospital after the incident, miraculously making a full recovery after being placed on a ventilator.
He opened up about the “scariest point” of the incident, which he says was his decision to swim past his son to attempt to save his niece, who was further out and in more danger.
“I think the scariest point was when I’m swimming to my son and I have to pass by him because my niece is in more danger,” Hillis said. “I knew that I had to pass him up to get to Camille first. Because, you know, if I didn’t then there’s no way she would’ve made it.
“And so what happened. I swam past my son, and I got to Camille, and she starts freakin’ out, you know, ‘We’re gonna die, we’re gonna die.'”
Hillis was notably able to make it to shore with both his son and niece, but fell unconscious due to lung and kidney problems from the incident.
It’s heartbreaking to hear this terrifying reality for Hillis, having to put his son in jeopardy to help his niece.
Fortunately, he was the hero by saving both of them and he appears to be in better spirits.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.