Former NFL Star Peyton Hillis: Saving Son, Niece From Drowning ‘Biggest Relief’ Ever
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former NFL running back Peyton Hillis saved his son and niece from drowning after they were swept out into the ocean during a family beach trip.
“I head up the beach and hit the water,” Hillis told the Arkansas Gazette. “The worst feeling of my life was that I had to pass up my son because my brother’s daughter is further out. And I knew that, you know she’s a little younger, she couldn’t take it. Me swimming past my son was the hardest thing that I ever could have done.”
He went back to save his son after bringing his niece to shore.
“I guess I didn’t know it, but I was just taking in so much water just from all the adrenaline that was going on,” Hillis explained. “We end up getting out of the riptide, and I’m starting to go to the beach. My son starts getting a little life back in him, and I push him away and somebody helped him out of the water.”
Movieguide® reported on his prayer for his son:
“‘Lord, please,’” Hillis prayed.” ‘Like, I really don’t care about my life. I don’t. But if we can get him out of here that’s the only thing I’m going to care about.’”
After rescuing the kids, though, Hillis lost consciousness.
“As I was walking to the beach, I just passed out,” he said. “Last thing I remember was my girlfriend Angela trying to help me out of the water. I kept on falling down. I couldn’t move, couldn’t stand up. I kept on taking in more water. That’s the last part I remember until I woke up in the hospital 10 or 12 days later.”
Sports Illustrated reported, “At the time of the incident, the 37-year-old had to be transported by helicopter to the ICU. He was placed on a ventilator while dealing with issues to his kidneys.”
“When I woke up, I remember my whole family standing over me,” he continued. “My mom, she got over me and said, ‘Peyton, everybody made it.’
“That was the biggest relief I’ve ever felt,” Hillis concluded. “Because I know if I would have lost my niece or my son, I would’ve been able to endure it. I wouldn’t be here.”
He thanked God for his recovery shortly after the incident.
“I just wanted to come on here and thank everyone for all the prayers and love y’all have given me,” he wrote on X. “I’m a very lucky and blessed man. Yahweh has really blessed me and I am very thankful.”
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