Peyton Hillis is reportedly "unconscious" and being treated in an intensive care unit after rushing to save his children in Florida. His condition is said to be "critical".
As reported by the Daily Mail, the 36-year-old former running back for the Cleveland Browns was airlifted to hospital after saving his children from drowning in the ocean following a swimming accident in Pensacola, Florida.
TMZ adds that the former NFL star is receiving treatment on his lungs and kidneys.
Fortunately, Hillis' children are said to be safe and in good health.
Hillis' uncle, Greg Hillis, has since penned a Facebook post providing an update on his nephew.
"I just wanted to let everyone know on Razorback Nation that Peyton is doing better," uncle Greg writes. "He’s still in intensive care and having some problems with his kidneys and his lungs but doctors say he is improving.
"I just wanted to head off any rumors that may be started. I’m sure he would want everyone to know that he appreciates all of the prayers being thrown up on his behalf!!!"
Hillis - a four-year player at the University of Arkansas - kicked off his professional career after being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
After being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2010, Hillis would became a breakout star for the team after rushing for 1,177 yards on 270 carries and scoring 11 touchdowns that year.
Hillis would then go on to be announced as the cover athlete for the Madden NFL 12 video game.
Since then, he signed with the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Giants, before his eventual retirement in 2015.
The Bleacher Report states that doctors had urged Hillis to retire after the young star suffered concussions at the end of his last two seasons.
"And after a while, it got too hard," Hillis said at the time. "I didn't care as much anymore, I didn't care to work at it. Football brought me down.
"I still love the game and I still have a lot of friends in the game, but as far as NFL football goes, my heart's just not in it anymore."
Of course, the devastating news about Hillis comes the same week the NFL world was rocked by the shocking collapse of 24-year-old Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin collapsed on the field following what appeared to be a routine tackle. It has been reported that Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest and has spent the last few days in the ICU. Fortunately, his fans were greeted with some good news yesterday after it was announced that he was "awake" and communicating with family members.
We wish both Hillis and Hamlin the very best on their respective recovery journeys.
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