Peyton Hillis praised as a ‘remarkable dad’ as he remains hospitalized after rescuing kids

Peyton Hillis is being praised as a ‘remarkable dad’ as the former Cleveland Browns running back remains hospitalized in Florida after successfully saving his children from drowning at a Pensacola beach.

‘What a remarkable dad doing the ultimate sacrifice for his kids and praying he gets better and be there again for his kids,’ wrote one Twitter user.

‘Many kids think of their dad as their hero, but Peyton Hillis’ kids can now literally say their dad saved their life,’ added another.

The 36-year-old Arkansas native rescued his children from drowning at a Pensacola beach, but was left in critical condition as a result of the swimming accident, according to reports. Both children – Hillis’ son, Orry, and his younger daughter – are said to be safe.

Peyton Hillis is being praised as a ‘remarkable dad’ as the former NFL running back remains hospitalized after successfully saving his children from drowning at a Pensacola beach

Hillis pictured with girlfriend Angela Cole, an actress, who is not the mother of his children

The 36-year-old Arkansas native rescued his children from drowning at a Pensacola beach, but was left in critical condition as a result of the swimming accident, according to reports. Both children – Hillis’ son, Orry, and his younger daughter – are said to be safe

Hillis was reportedly unconscious on Thursday after being airlifted to a local hospital, where his breathing is now ‘improving’ in the intensive care unit, according to an update. 

A man identified as Hillis’ uncle revealed the update in a Facebook post on Thursday night, adding that his nephew was having trouble with his lungs and kidneys.

‘I just wanted to let everyone know on Razorback Nation that Peyton is doing better,’ Greg Hillis wrote. ‘He’s still in intensive care and having some problems with his kidneys and his lungs but the doctors say he is improving.’

A Browns spokesperson declined to comment, saying the team was waiting for news of Hillis’ condition to be confirmed before doing so. 

Hillis former agent, Kennard McGuire, did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment. 

Chris Ogbonnaya, another former Browns running back, asked fans on Twitter to pray for his old teammate: ‘Please keep former teammate Peyton Hillis in your thoughts and prayers.’ 

Former NFL safety Antoine Bethea had a similar post: ‘Prayers for Peyton Hillis!!’

Arkansas football also released a statement on Twitter: ‘Thinking about our man @thepeytonhillis. Encouraged to learn he’s doing better after his heroic act saving his family.’

Hillis’ children are seen with his now-ex-wife, Amanda, during his short tenure in Kansas City

A man identified as Hillis’ uncle revealed the update in a Facebook post on Thursday night, adding that his nephew was having trouble with his lungs and kidneys

Many online reactions praised Hillis as a good father and likeable man. One podcaster was particularly fond of his times with Hillis. 

‘Peyton Hillis is a super good dude,’ tweeted a podcaster known as Sir Yacht. ‘An absolute goofball and I mean that in the best way possible. He is a hero for saving his kids from drowning today. I’m praying hard for him and I hope he has a safe and fast recovery.’

Cole confirmed the relationship in a social media post on July 6, 2022

‘Guy saved his kids from drowning and is now hospitalized,’ wrote one Twitter user. ‘Speedy recovery for a dad putting his children above all, some people don’t always.’

The former Browns star had been trying his hand at acting in recent years and appeared in the horror film, The Hunting, in 2021. 

He co-starred with actress Angela Cole in that film, and the two are now dating. 

The film was a sort of homecoming for Hillis, as it was filmed in the Cleveland suburb of Mantua, Ohio. 

Cole first went public with their relationship in a Facebook post on July 6, 2022. 

Cole wrote: ‘I don’t care what they say about ya, Peyt. I think you’re pretty great. Sometimes there’s someone that comes into your life and changes everything. I’m so incredibly grateful for you.’

Hillis appeared to confirm the relationship on his unverified Instagram page in August.

He said: ‘I mean the Bahamas was beautiful… but she’s just’ before adding several emojis with hearts in them.’

Hillis divorced the mother of his children, Amanda, in 2020. 

Many online reactions praised Hillis as a good father and likeable man. One podcaster was particularly fond of his times with Hillis. ‘Peyton Hillis is a super good dude,’ tweeted a podcaster known as Sir Yacht. ‘An absolute goofball and I mean that in the best way possible. He is a hero for saving his kids from drowning today. I’m praying hard for him and I hope he has a safe and fast recovery’

Hillis was able to make sure his children were okay, but he ended up in the intensive care unit

Hillis, in a scene in the 2021 horror film ‘The Hunting’ which was released on video on demand

After beginning his career with the Denver Broncos, Hillis was traded to the Browns along with a sixth-round pick for backup QB Brady Quinn.

In four years at the University of Arkansas, Hillis totaled 960 rushing yards and 1,197 receiving yards while scoring 23 touchdowns. 

Hillis’s spectacular 2010 season led to fans voting him onto the cover of EA Sports’ Madden 12

Hillis is best known for his 2010 season with Cleveland, where he put up 1,600 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. As a result of that campaign, he won a national vote to be the cover athlete for the video game EA Sports Madden 12.

After two seasons in Cleveland, he left as a free agent to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He concluded his professional career with stints playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants.

Hillis retired in 2015 at the request of his doctor due to a history of concussions.

He spoke to Bleacher Report in 2015 about his frank struggles with mental health and depression as he chose to leave the game he loved.

‘I was going through real bad depression during that time,’ he said of his years in Cleveland in particular. ‘I was getting help because I couldn’t sleep, I was so upset that everything was going down the way it was and nobody could understand. 

Of his decision to retire, he said: ‘After a while, it got too hard. 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.’ 

Former Cleveland Browns running back Chris Ogbonnaya also called for fans to pray for Hillis