Peyton Hillis Drowning Accident, What Happened to Peyton Hillis? Who Did Peyton Hillis Rescue?
by Janani | Updated Jun 13, 2023
Who is Peyton Hillis?
Have you ever heard of Peyton Derek Hillis? He's an intriguing retired American football player who made a name for himself as a running back in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 21, 1986, Hillis had quite the journey to success. It all began during his time at Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas, where his extraordinary skills caught the attention of recruiters.
Curiosity piqued, Hillis decided to pursue his football dreams at the University of Arkansas. However, rather than taking on the role of a traditional running back, he primarily played as a fullback. This unconventional choice didn't deter him from making an impact on the field.
But it was after college that Hillis really stepped into the professional spotlight. In 2008, he was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft and found himself joining the Denver Broncos. Surprisingly, he quickly rose through the ranks of the team, securing the starting position as a fullback. However, fate had something else in store for him.
In a twist of events, injuries to the Broncos' running backs opened up an opportunity for Hillis to showcase his versatility. With determination and skill, he embraced the role of the team's primary running back, proving that he was much more than a traditional fullback.
In 2010, Hillis embarked on a new chapter in his career when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Representing his new team, he continued to impress fans and critics alike with his remarkable performances. In fact, his exceptional talent earned him remarkable recognition in 2011.
Through a nationwide vote, Hillis was selected to grace the cover of the EA Sports Madden NFL 12 video game. This prestigious honor solidified his status as a prominent figure in the NFL and showcased his impact on the field. Peyton Hillis' journey from high school standout to NFL cover star is a captivating tale of perseverance and adaptability. His unique path and undeniable talent have left a lasting impression on the football world.
Peyton Hillis Drowning Accident
Former NFL player Peyton Hillis, known for his time with the Cleveland Browns, has been discharged from Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, after a near-death experience while rescuing his children from drowning. Hillis and his sister, Hayley Davis, jumped into the water near Pensacola's Portofino island resort when their children got into distress. The children were unharmed, but Hillis suffered critical injuries to his kidneys and lungs.
Lifeguards and a firefighter had to rescue him before he was flown to Baptist Hospital. Hillis's girlfriend, Angela Cole, expressed her gratitude on Instagram for the hospital staff's efforts in saving his life and taking care of their family.
Davis also shared a Facebook post describing the chaotic scene and expressing relief that her brother's health had significantly improved. Hillis, a former University of Arkansas player, had a successful NFL career with the Broncos, Browns, Chiefs, and Giants but never reached the same level of performance as his breakout 2010 season.
What Happened to Peyton Hillis?
After successfully rescuing his son and niece from the water, 37-year-old Peyton Hillis suddenly lost consciousness, suffering from lung and kidney failure. As a result, he was swiftly transported to a hospital via helicopter and immediately put on a ventilator to assist with his breathing.
Nearly 10 days passed before Hillis finally regained consciousness, marking a significant turning point in his recovery. However, his condition remained serious, requiring him to spend an additional two weeks in the intensive care unit (ICU), where he received specialized and intensive medical care to aid his recuperation.
Who Did Peyton Hillis Rescue?
Peyton Hillis, a former running back in the NFL, has successfully been removed from a ventilator and is currently on a positive path towards recovery. This significant progress comes just one week after he bravely rescued his children from a drowning incident at a beach in Florida. Angela Cole, Hillis' girlfriend, expressed her admiration for him and hailed him as a "hero" through an Instagram post.
She also shared her immense pride in him and conveyed her deep gratitude for their family as well as the exceptional care provided by the remarkable hospital they are currently in.
Peyton Hillis Wife
Peyton Hillis was previously married to Amanda Brown in October 2011. Their marriage came to an end in 2020, as reported by the Daily Mail. Amanda Brown is a professional pop singer, but she maintained a private life, so not much information is available about her.
At present, Peyton Hillis is in a relationship with actress Angela Cole. Angela has appeared in various films including Fighting the Sky, Nix, Time Pirates, and Night of the Tommyknockers. The initial connection between Peyton and Angela was established on the set of the horror movie "The Hunting."
Both Peyton Hillis and Angela Cole played significant roles in the movie, which was released in 2021. The filming of the movie took place in Mantua, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, which held a special significance for Hillis.
Following the movie's release, Peyton and Angela began dating. In the film, Hillis portrayed a werewolf character. Angela Cole publicly confirmed their relationship status by posting a picture on Instagram on July 6, 2022.
While Peyton Hillis maintains a private Instagram account, Angela's social media accounts are public. She frequently shares pictures with Peyton, providing confirmation of their relationship. Angela has an Instagram handle, [angelacoleofficial], with a following of 7,590 users.
Peyton Hillis Story
Peyton Hillis was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 20th pick in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He started his professional career as the team's fullback and made his NFL debut on September 8, 2008. Throughout the 2008 season, Hillis showcased his versatility by contributing as a rusher and receiver. He recorded his first 100-yard receiving game in November 2008.
Due to an injury to another player, Hillis was promoted to the starting running back position. He made an immediate impact by rushing for 44 yards and two touchdowns in his first start. In the following weeks, he continued to impress, achieving his first 100-yard rushing game with 129 yards and a touchdown. Hillis received several honors for his performances, including being named the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.
Unfortunately, Hillis' promising season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a season-ending hamstring tear. Despite the limited playing time, he finished the 2008 season as the Broncos' leading rusher with 343 yards and five touchdowns.
The following year, Hillis faced a decline in his playing time and production with the Broncos. Speculation arose about a possible disagreement between him and the new head coach, Josh McDaniels. In March 2010, Hillis was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback Brady Quinn.
In Cleveland, Hillis became a key player for the Browns. He had an impressive 2010 season, rushing for over 1,000 yards and making significant contributions as a receiver. His outstanding performances led to him being chosen as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 12.
The 2011 season proved to be challenging for Hillis. He dealt with contract negotiations, injuries, and controversies, which affected his playing time and performance. Despite a strong finish to the season, the Browns did not offer him a new contract, leading him to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.
Hillis had a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. However, he was released by the Buccaneers without playing a game. Later that year, he signed with the New York Giants and received a contract extension in 2014.
After the 2014 season, Hillis was released by the Giants. He officially retired from the NFL in 2015 due to concerns about his history of concussions and a lack of passion for the game.
Peyton Hillis Accident
Former NFL running back Peyton Hillis recently recounted a harrowing incident where he rescued his son and niece from a dangerous rip current at a beach in Florida. Speaking on Good Morning America with Michael Strahan, Hillis described the incident as a miraculous event, as no one lost their life during the ordeal.
Hillis shared that the scariest moment occurred when he had to swim past his own son to reach his niece, who was in greater danger. He made the difficult decision to prioritize her rescue, understanding that if he didn't, she might not have survived.
After successfully bringing his son and niece back to shore, Hillis unexpectedly lost consciousness and suffered from lung and kidney failure. He was swiftly airlifted to a hospital and placed on a ventilator to assist his breathing.
Around ten days later, Hillis regained consciousness, a moment that brought immense relief. Following his awakening, he spent an additional two weeks receiving critical care in the intensive care unit. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery and selflessness displayed by Hillis in saving his loved ones from a potentially tragic situation.
Peyton Hillis Drowning Accident - FAQs
Peyton Derek Hillis was born on January 21, 1986, in Conway, Arkansas.
Peyton Hillis attended Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas.
During his time at the University of Arkansas, Peyton Hillis primarily played as a fullback.
Peyton Hillis was drafted into the NFL by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Peyton Hillis appeared on the cover of the EA Sports Madden NFL 12 video game in 2011. He was chosen through a nationwide vote, where fans across the country voted for him to receive this prestigious accolade.
Former NFL player Peyton Hillis, famous for his time with the Cleveland Browns, has been released from Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, following a harrowing incident where he rescued his children from drowning. Hillis and his sister, Hayley Davis, leaped into the water near Portofino island resort in Pensacola when their children found themselves in distress. Although the children remained unharmed, Hillis sustained critical injuries to his kidneys and lungs.
Prompt action was taken by lifeguards and a firefighter, who had to rescue Hillis before he was airlifted to Baptist Hospital. Hillis's girlfriend, Angela Cole, expressed her gratitude on Instagram for the hospital staff's life-saving efforts and their support for their family during this ordeal.
Davis also took to Facebook to describe the chaotic scene and express her relief that her brother's health has significantly improved. Hillis, who had a successful NFL career playing for the Broncos, Browns, Chiefs, and Giants, was known for his standout 2010 season but didn't reach the same level of performance in subsequent years.